Dialogue begins in Nepali Congress to resolve convention issue

 Kathmandu, Jan. 3

In order to bring the debate that began in connection with the Nepali Congress General Convention to a logical conclusion, both the establishment faction and the non-establishment faction have engaged in phased dialogue. Senior leaders have begun discussions with the aim of resolving, through consensus, the debate that has arisen over the party’s 15^th General Convention and a Special General Convention.

A meeting of the Nepali Congress Central Executive Committee held on Poush 18 decided, by a majority, to hold the 15^th General Convention in mid-May 2026.

Meanwhile, the non-establishment faction in the party has begun preparations for a Special General Convention on January 11-12. Following the announcement of separate conventions within the party, leaders have been engaged in internal and bilateral discussions.

Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, Central Committee member Ramesh Lekhak and other leaders held discussions on Saturday morning on possible ways to resolve the disputes seen within the party. The meeting also discussed finding a smooth point of departure to address the debate that has emerged regarding the regular and special conventions.

After the announcement of the Special General Convention, General Secretaries, Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, consulted legal experts. They sought legal opinion on the basis that, in accordance with provisions in the party statute, 54 per cent of convention representatives have already submitted signatures and an application demanding a special general convention, and that the convention has been called for January 11-12.

Former President of the Nepal Bar Association and senior advocate Gopal Krishna Ghimire, who participated in the discussion, said that Article 17(2) of the party statute contains a mandatory provision requiring a special general convention to be convened within 90 days if 40 per cent of convention representatives submit an application, and therefore suggested that the process could proceed.

“What the party statute says is what must be done. It is everyone’s duty to abide by the statute. And, according to the statute, the Nepali Congress must go for a special general convention,” he said.

Constitutional expert and senior advocate Purna Man Shakya said there was principled agreement with the decision of the general secretaries to move ahead with the Special General Convention. He said, “Since the convention representatives have already submitted their signatures and there is a provision requiring a special general convention under the statute, it would be better to implement it.”

General Secretary Sharma stated that the decision to move forward with the process of a Special General Convention was taken because the regular convention had not been held according to the stipulated schedule. He added that a special general convention would bring renewed momentum to the party and made it clear that the party would remain united.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has held discussions with close associates, central members, and leaders regarding the intensifying disputes within the party after the announcements of the regular and special general conventions.

According to Congress Joint General Secretary Jiwan Pariyar, discussions have focused on the internal crisis within the party, the upcoming elections, and other issues facing the country. During the meeting, there was an agreement to draw the attention of the party leadership to arrange for members to resume their previous responsibilities once disciplinary actions taken by the party’s disciplinary committee are revoked.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 January 2026.