The internal crisis within Nepali Congress (NC) escalated on Thursday as senior leader Dr Shekhar Koirala parted ways with General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, opposing their call for a Special General Convention.
The dispute follows a joint statement by the two General Secretaries declaring the regular convention postponed and pushing for a special session. In response, Dr. Koirala held a two-hour meeting with Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba at Maharajgunj, followed by a long discussion with Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka and other senior leaders.
Key points of contention
Dr Koirala argued that a Special Convention can only be summoned by the Central Working Committee (CWC). He warned that any assembly called against the party statute would lead to a formal split. Koirala criticized General Secretary Thapa—who leads the active membership management committee—for failing to finalize membership lists in nine districts, which ultimately delayed the regular convention. "One cannot blame others while failing their own responsibilities," Koirala stated.
President Deuba expressed firm opposition to the special convention, claiming it is a move to divide the party. Party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat echoed this, accusing the General Secretaries of evading their duties.
Despite the opposition, the faction supporting the Special Convention has reportedly already booked a venue at Bhrikuti Mandap for January 11 and 12. This group maintains that since the party failed to meet its regular General Convention deadline, the 54% of representatives who signed a petition for a special convention have the right to proceed.
President Deuba has called for further internal discussions tomorrow morning to prevent a potential party division ahead of the upcoming general elections.
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