Nepali Congress faces internal rift ahead of general convention

The Nepali Congress is facing internal division as the party prepares for its 15th general convention, scheduled for October 2 to 5. Former General Secretary Shashank Koirala, representing a non-establishment faction alongside outgoing president Sher Bahadur Deuba, has urged members to boycott the convention. Koirala warned that proceeding with the convention under the current committee would trigger a division across all party structures.

The Deuba faction has approached the Supreme Court to halt the convention, arguing that the court should first review the dispute regarding the party’s official status. While the court is currently studying the matter, the leadership remains divided.

In an effort to resolve the crisis, leader Nain Singh Mahar has proposed three options to Sher Bahadur Deuba to restore unity. These include reaching an agreement between Deuba and current president Gagan Thapa on leadership, allowing a third party to lead the convention, or both sides agreeing in advance to abide by the Supreme Court’s eventual verdict.