The premises of the Election Commission (EC) turned into a site of intense confrontation on Friday as two rival factions of Nepali Congress (NC) arrived to claim official legitimacy of the party.
The situation escalated early in the morning when supporters and leaders led by Gagan Thapa gathered at the Commission's office. The group has formally demanded that the EC recognize their faction as the official establishment of the party.
Tensions flared shortly after rival groups – one led by current party President Sher Bahadur Deuba and the other led by Gagan Thapa arrived at the Commission to stake their own claim for official recognition.
As both sides converged, the atmosphere outside the Commission became volatile. Cadres from both the Thapa and Deuba camps engaged in aggressive sloganeering, with each side asserting their legal right to the party's name and symbol.
Security heightened
In response to the deteriorating situation, authorities have significantly increased security measures around the Election Commission. A heavy presence of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) personnel has been deployed to prevent physical altercations.
Security forces are all set with water cannons and riot control equipment at the gates to preempt any untoward incidents. As of now, the area remains cordoned off while the Commission attempts to address the formal applications from both leadership groups.
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