Leadership Change Debate Deepens Inside Nepali Congress as Leaders Push Their Own Agendas

Internal disputes within the Nepali Congress (NC) have intensified amid ongoing political developments across the country. With the party’s Central Committee meeting approaching on October 12 (26 Ashwin 2082 BS), called to discuss the post–Jan-G movement political situation, top leaders have begun positioning themselves for internal power shifts.

Thapa and Sharma Pressuring Deuba to Step Down

General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have been strategizing to pressure Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to relinquish leadership. Both leaders, who support holding the next House of Representatives election in February 2026 (21 Falgun 2082 BS), are using the momentum from the Jan-G youth uprising to advocate for leadership change.

They have launched a signature campaign demanding a Special General Convention to elect new leadership. In a video statement on Tuesday, Sharma urged supporters, saying, “Those who wish to sign should not delay—complete it by the 24th.”

Special Convention or Regular General Convention?

According to the party statute, if the Central Committee wishes—or if 40% of convention representatives formally demand it with valid reasons—a Special General Convention must be held within three months. However, such a convention can only deliberate on the specific issue mentioned in the proposal.

The leaders promoting the convention argue that the Central Committee can also make broader political decisions during the same meeting. They claim the convention would function like a regular general convention, selecting new leadership from representatives elected in the 14th General Convention.

If held, this Special Convention would only appoint leadership for the remainder of the current term. Therefore, some leaders insist that the party should instead move toward a regular General Convention rather than a short-term leadership transition.

Central Committee member Ram Hari Khatiwada stated that unity—not bitterness or division—is what the party urgently needs. “We must move toward the regular convention through a short and quick process,” he said.

Koirala Favors Regular Convention

The Congress held its 14th General Convention in December 2021 (Poush 2078 BS). Without extending the term, the 15th General Convention must be conducted by December 2025 (Poush 2082 BS), though the statute allows a one-year extension. Senior leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has long advocated for holding a regular convention without using the extension provision.

He emphasized that, given recent political developments, the Congress should enter the upcoming general election under new leadership. “The Central Committee meeting on Sunday should make this decision,” Koirala said.

While Thapa and Sharma’s signature drive continues, Koirala has not openly supported or opposed it. However, he believes the leadership transition should occur through a regular convention since the current committee’s four-year term is nearly over.

Deuba Camp Rejects Special Convention Call

The majority of Congress leaders favor holding the regular convention before the February election date announced by the interim government led by Suśhila Karki.

Leaders close to Deuba view the Special Convention proposal as an attempt to weaken and divide the party. They argue that since Deuba has already declared he will not contest for the party presidency in the next General Convention due to his age, there is no justification for internal upheaval.

A Central Committee member close to Deuba remarked, “President Deuba has already made it clear that he won’t run again and will hand over leadership. In this context, raising issues like majority, minority, and signature collection only confuses the cadres and harms party unity.”

He added that the General Secretaries should focus on preparing for the regular convention rather than “trying to stand above water” with unnecessary campaigns.

Divided Priorities, Confused Cadres

As the rival faction steps up pressure through the signature campaign, Deuba’s establishment faction is preparing to announce the schedule for the regular convention and possibly appoint Vice-President Purna Bahadur Khadka as acting party president if needed.

Several leaders, including Shyam Kumar Ghimire, have been pushing for the Central Committee to reaffirm the Congress’s long-standing stance on restoring the dissolved House of Representatives and to finalize the acting presidency and convention schedule.

Senior leader Bimalendra Nidhi stressed that the party must not delay clarifying its position on leadership. “If the president cannot attend the meeting, the vice-president should act as president. The party must decide quickly,” Nidhi said. “This is the time to prioritize the party’s interests over personal ambitions.”

Central Committee member Pratima Gautam asserted that it would be difficult for the Congress to contest the upcoming election under the current leadership. “The party’s policies, decisions, and leadership style are responsible for today’s situation. The Congress cannot move forward with the same leadership,” she said.

Although top leaders appear focused on advancing their personal agendas, party cadres remain confused and uncertain about the direction of the Nepali Congress.