Deuba under pressure to fix party’s general convention date

KATHMANDU, Dec 16: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba is under pressure to fix the date for general convention of the grand old party after a dissident faction led by senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel boycotted the party’s central working committee meeting again on Sunday. 

Also last week, the faction had boycotted the meeting demanding that the party immediately fix the date and publicize a calendar for the long overdue general convention, which will decide the party’s leadership for the next four years.

“We have pressed the party leadership to bring out a calendar for the general convention, but they still appear reluctant to do so,” said NC leader Nabindra Raj Joshi, who is close to Paudel. 

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As the term of the existing office bearers and central committee members is expiring in March 2020, the party leadership has been insisting on delaying the general convention by a year using a special provision of the party statute. Although the party statute requires holding a general convention every four years, the party has almost always delayed the convention by a year. 

“Only under special circumstances can the convention be delayed. But currently the leadership has no excuse to delay the convention. Let’s hope our ongoing campaign will compel the leadership into holding the convention on time,” Joshi added. 

Leader of the dissident faction, Paudel headed for a pilgrimage to Pathibhara in Taplejung, on Sunday after boycotting the party’s meeting in Sanepa, Lalitpur. After boycott from the key leaders from the dissident faction, NC President Deuba adjourned the CWC meeting for Monday. 

“Dialogue with leaders (Paudel faction) is progressing in positive manner. It would be wise to wait until tomorrow (Monday) to discuss the agenda of the meeting,” a leader quoted NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi as saying at the meeting on behalf of party president Deuba. Nidhi was entrusted by Deuba to forge consensus with Paudel faction on Saturday after a meeting between Deuba and Paudel.