KATHMANDU, Jan 9: The Nepali Congress (NC) has declared the special general convention called by a dissident faction within the party illegitimate and appealed for its immediate cancellation, warning that participation in such a gathering would violate the party statute.
A meeting of the party’s Central Work Execution Committee (CWEC), held on Thursday at the NC’s central office in Sanepa, Lalitpur, under the chairmanship of Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, concluded that any activity conducted in the name of a special general convention would be against the party statute. The committee directed party leaders and cadres at all levels not to take part in such events.
Making the decision public, Party Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel said the justification for holding a special general convention no longer exists, as preparations for the regular 15th general convention have already begun.
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The NC has already fixed the dates for its 15th general convention—from May 11 to May 14—through a CWEC meeting held on January 2.
“Against the backdrop of the regular general convention process already being underway in line with the party statute, a special general convention called in an illegal manner cannot be legitimate,” the CWEC meeting stated. “The authority to convene any level of convention, including a special general convention, rests solely with the Central Committee—not with any individual office-bearer or member.”
The party further concluded that holding a special general convention ahead of the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 would be detrimental to the party.
The meeting expressed concern that organizing such a convention at the current sensitive juncture would not serve the party’s interests and could even push it toward internal division.
Noting that the party should currently be focused on submitting the proportional representation closed list, registering candidacies, and preparing for the National Assembly election, the CWEC urged leaders and cadres to work in unity. “Any hasty action could undermine party unity,” the decision warned.
General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa and Deputy General Secretary Farmullah Mansur presented their views during the meeting. Although both leaders have been advocating in favor of a special general convention, the CWEC—by a majority vote—decided to halt the proposed gathering.
The NC has also cautioned its office-bearers and members at all levels, general convention representatives, sister and affiliated organizations, well-wishers, and office-bearers of overseas NC chapters not to engage in activities that go against the party statute.
