Meeting of Special General Convention Supporters, Demand for Convention Before Election Intensifies

A gathering of Nepali Congress leaders advocating for a Special General Convention was held in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The meeting was organized to pressure the upcoming Central Committee to fix a date for the convention. The party remains deeply divided over whether to hold the general convention before the elections or after. The Central Committee meeting, which has been ongoing since October 14 (28 Ashwin), has not been able to reach a conclusion on the matter.

The faction supporting the Special General Convention has been increasing pressure on the Central Committee to move the process forward. Acting Party President Purna Bahadur Khadka has been holding separate discussions with top leaders and office bearers to prepare the post-election schedule for Friday’s meeting.

The establishment faction appears ready to bring a schedule for holding the regular general convention within Poush (mid-December to mid-January). However, they insist that the signatures submitted for the Special General Convention must be withdrawn first. On the other hand, the non-establishment faction — which is demanding a Special General Convention — is willing to accept the regular general convention on the date proposed by General Secretary Gagan Thapa, starting Poush 16 (December 31). They have stated firmly that the signatures will not be withdrawn under any circumstances.

Both factions have maintained their positions, and senior leaders are attempting to forge an agreement. Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba is not in favor of a Special General Convention. Although Deuba is somewhat agreeable to holding the regular general convention in Poush, the Special Convention supporters refuse to withdraw their signatures.

“There Is No Alternative to a Special General Convention”: Gururaj Ghimire

Leader Gururaj Ghimire said the gathering was held to increase pressure because there is now “no alternative” to the Special General Convention for resolving the party’s current deadlock.

Ghimire criticized the Central Committee meeting for being excessively prolonged, saying it has already broken world records. Speaking at the event, he noted that even the Chinese Communist Party — known for long sessions — held its longest meeting for just 23 days, whereas the Nepali Congress meeting has extended to one and a half months without any conclusion.

He remarked:

“The Central Committee meeting began on Ashwin 28. Counting Ashwin, Kartik, and Mangsir, the meeting has lasted nearly three months in the Nepali calendar and one and a half months in actual days. Yet, we are still without a conclusion.”

Ghimire said the only achievement so far is that the party was barely able to register with the Election Commission.
He added that even Thursday’s scheduled meeting might be postponed, stating:

“There are rumors that tomorrow’s meeting will be postponed. And generally, postponement rumors tend to come true. Rumors about doing something rarely come true; rumors about postponement almost always do.”

Gandaki Province President Claims Convention Possible Within One Month

Gandaki Province Congress President Shukraraj Sharma said that if given responsibility, he could hold the general convention within one month.

He argued that even a regular general convention could be conducted within that time frame:

“I am the Gandaki Province President. I do not believe there is any reason we cannot hold the general convention. Give us the responsibility and one month’s time — all seven provinces are ready.”

Sharma said that during the era of B.P. Koirala, there was never a need to demand a convention, because the party functioned according to ideology and procedure. He termed it “unfortunate” that even with 54 percent of representatives supporting the demand, the leadership is still refusing to hold the general convention.

He stressed that no matter who becomes party president, the wrong practices of the present situation should not be repeated, and the leadership must go among the people.

“Some Office Bearers Themselves Are Blocking the General Convention”

Congress leader Omkar Shrestha accused some party office bearers of deliberately obstructing the general convention. He said the establishment faction includes individuals who act like “vines climbing up a tree,” warning supporters to be cautious:

“If the tree breaks, the vine collapses with it.”

Shrestha had also participated in the 2014 Special General Convention. The current gathering was held under his chairmanship. He revealed that the special convention provision was added to the statute because of the likelihood that situations like today could arise.

He said:

“In 2014, we transferred the party leadership through a Special General Convention. Today the same office bearers are claiming the party will split if a special convention is held. You cannot rely on them — elect new leadership. The statute ensures that a Special General Convention must take place once demanded.”

“The Central Committee Has Played with You Like a Cat Plays with a Mouse”

Congress ideologue Hari Sharma criticized the Central Committee for its treatment of the Special Convention supporters.

He stated:

“I am not a member of the Nepali Congress, but I grew up under its umbrella. Watching the Central Committee play with you like a cat plays with a mouse made me deeply sad. Ignoring a demand clearly stated in the statute weakens democracy.”

He said the current political stability is possible only because the President acted wisely.

“Had the President not acted with understanding, many leaders would be in jail today. The republic has protected us. Democracy survives because questions are raised.”

He added that the Congress decision to participate in the election pushed other parties in the same direction.

Signatures Submitted by 54 Percent of Delegates

On Ashwin 29, the Special Convention supporters registered their proposal along with signatures from 54 percent of convention delegates. They are angered that the establishment faction has been delaying the process despite the statute clearly requiring that the Special General Convention must be held by Poush 29.

Acting Party President Engaged in Dialogue

Acting Party President Purna Bahadur Khadka and the General Secretaries have intensified discussions to resolve the dispute. The issue of whether to conduct the general convention before or after the election has persisted for the past month.

Leaders are attempting to reach an agreement on whether to:

• hold the 15th General Convention before the election,
• conduct a Special General Convention immediately, or
• hold the regular general convention after the election.

Even after more than a month of Central Committee meetings, a date for the general convention has not been finalized.

Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said he sees no possibility of holding the general convention before the election.

Mahat stated:

“I do not see any basis for a general convention within Poush. Going to elections before the convention would be counterproductive. Even if someone claims it can be done immediately, the required procedures cannot be completed in time. The Acting President is trying to build consensus, and he will finalize the meeting schedule.”

The Nepali Congress has called the next Central Committee meeting for Mangsir 11, from which leaders and supporters expect a finalized schedule for the convention.