The internal rift within Nepali Congress (NC) has escalated into a legal battle for party legitimacy, with the faction led by the recently held "Special General Convention" taking its case to the Election Commission.
The dispute pits the establishment group, led by President Sher Bahadur Deuba, against a breakaway faction that recently elected new leadership, including Gagan Thapa as a key figure. Udaya Shamsher Rana, the newly elected Joint General Secretary from the Special General Convention, has leveled serious allegations of financial corruption aimed at influencing the regulatory outcome.
Key highlights of the dispute
Speaking during an interaction with Nepalkhabar's TATKALAI on Thursday, Rana alleged that "businessmen with briefcases" are working on behalf of the Deuba faction to influence the Election Commission and the courts. He claimed that leaders who have held power for 30 years are using "money and muscle" to declare the Special General Convention illegal.
Rana dismissed claims that the party has "split" in the traditional sense. He argued that the faction followed the NC statute, which mandates a Special General Convention if 40% of delegates demand one. "Our process was transparent and live-cast; our case is watertight," Rana asserted.
Formerly a Deuba loyalist, Rana justified his shift to the Thapa camp by citing Deuba’s "damaged image" and inability to connect with the 'Gen-Z' movement. He warned that the party faces certain defeat in the next elections under the old guard.
The splinter group has declared Gagan Thapa as their candidate for future Prime Minister and announced they will contest in all 161 constituencies without forming any electoral alliances. Meanwhile, Rana confidently stated that Nepali Congress led by Thapa will emerge as the largest party in the upcoming elections.
Critical deadlines
The faction is urging the Election Commission to rule on the convention's validity before January 20, the deadline for candidate nominations, and ahead of the scheduled March 5 elections.
While the Deuba faction maintains that the special general convention was unauthorized, the Thapa-Bishwa group remains confident that adherence to party bylaws will secure them official recognition as the "authentic" Nepali Congress.
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