Thapa and Sharma Agree: Congress Convention Must Be Held by Mangsir

As the signature campaign for a special general convention within the Nepali Congress gathers momentum, General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma have jointly proposed that a regular convention can still be held within Mangsir if the party leadership shows determination.

Although the renewal of active membership and distribution of new membership cards is still pending, the two leaders have suggested suspending certain constitutional processes to ensure that the regular convention takes place on time.

The four-year term of the current Central Working Committee led by President Sher Bahadur Deuba will expire by the end of Mangsir. According to Thapa and Sharma, if the committee decides to hold a regular convention without extending its term, then a special convention would not be necessary. However, since the president has shown reluctance, they argue that moving forward with the special convention option has become inevitable.

Internal Pressures and Alignments

Leader Shekhar Koirala has also emphasized the need for a regular convention. Recently, Thapa and Koirala, who had previously built separate factions, held long discussions on moving forward together for party transformation. Thapa even proposed opening online membership enrollment to ensure a direct and democratic selection of the central leadership.

Thapa told Kantipur:

“It is possible to hold a regular convention within Mangsir, even by suspending certain constitutional clauses. That is our first priority. Nepal after September 8–9 (the Jan-G Movement) is no longer the same. We must take a historic decision regarding leadership and policies. That mandate should come from the convention.”

Sharma echoed the same stance, stating that if a regular convention cannot be held within Mangsir, only then should the party move towards a special convention.

The Constitutional Debate

Article 17(2) of the party statute allows the Central Working Committee to call a special general convention under extraordinary circumstances. In fact, in 1957, the party had replaced Suvarna Shamsher Rana with B.P. Koirala through such a convention.

But Deuba currently holds two-thirds majority support in the Central Committee, meaning his proposals generally prevail over those of the general secretaries. This is why the ongoing signature campaign by central representatives has gained traction — it is seen as a tool to force a special convention.

If 40% of convention representatives sign the demand, the party president must call a special convention within three months. However, both regular and special conventions would fall around the same time — Mangsir or Poush — which is why Thapa, Sharma, and Koirala have given priority to a regular convention.

An anti-establishment leader remarked:

“A regular convention would allow the president to exit with dignity, whereas a special convention could send the wrong message.”

Divisions Over Deuba’s Role

After the September 10 events, Thapa and Sharma had urged Deuba to hand over acting leadership to Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, but Deuba declined, instead asking for only a Central Executive Committee meeting. This refusal has fueled suspicion among the two general secretaries.

Meanwhile, senior leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula strongly opposed the push for a special convention, accusing the general secretaries of trying to destabilize the party while the president remains hospitalized. Sitaula argued:

“It is the responsibility of the general secretaries to finalize active membership and prepare for the regular convention. Talking about a special convention now only pleases those who want to see the party destroyed.”

Similarly, head of the publicity department Min Bishwakarma insisted that since the president has already cleared the way for party activities, the focus should be on preparing for a regular convention.

Outlook

However, leaders close to Deuba appear reluctant about either option. According to Thapa and Sharma, the Deuba faction is focused on maintaining his leadership until the March 5, 2026 (21 Falgun 2082 BS) general elections, ensuring political security and influence over candidate selection.

Thapa reminded that he had already proposed in the Central General Committee meeting two years ago that the central convention should be held in Mangsir 2082 — but that proposal was stalled due to party leadership.

Now, after the Jan-G Movement, which reshaped national politics and dissolved parliament, the Congress faces serious risks of disunity if the leadership issue remains unresolved. Analysts warn that this dispute could undermine the party’s cohesion at a critical political juncture.