Nepali Congress factions prepare for separate general conventions

The Nepali Congress party is facing an intensifying internal split as two rival factions prepare to hold separate general conventions. The faction led by former president Sher Bahadur Deuba has announced plans for its own 15th General Convention in Kathmandu, scheduled for December 7 to 9, following failed attempts to reach a consensus with the establishment faction.

The dispute has led to significant procedural differences between the two groups. The establishment faction, led by President Gagan Thapa, is proceeding with a convention process that allows the president to nominate 75 representatives. In contrast, the Deuba faction’s election directive allows the president to nominate up to 300 representatives.

Financial discrepancies also exist regarding nomination fees. Under Thapa’s leadership, the fee for the central presidency is set at Rs 40,000, whereas the Deuba faction has proposed a lower fee of Rs 30,000.

On a regional level, local processes continue in Morang district, where ward and municipal conventions are underway to select representatives for regional assemblies. While some areas have completed voting, others are still in the nomination phase, with efforts to finalize local leadership by October 13.