Nepali Congress on verge of split, dissident group to elect new leader

The Nepali Congress is on the verge of a split, less than two months ahead of the March 5 general election, as the dissident group of the party announced an election schedule to elect its new leader despite disapproval from party's president and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The dissident group of the party, led by general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma, continued its Special General Convention for the third day on Tuesday. Originally a two-day event which started on Sunday in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, the convention was extended till Tuesday.

Earlier, the 14th General Convention had a total of 4,743 voters. The number has now been reduced to 4,635 after excluding those who have passed away and those who have joined other political parties. The faction supporting the Nepali Congress Special General Convention has urged the party leadership to take ownership of the special general convention organised by them in order to unite the party and move it forward.

The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba has been opposing the convention, but now they are seeking a compromise ahead of the March elections to avoid a split in the party. Negotiations involve four-member teams from both the Gagan Thapa Faction and the Sher Bahadur Deuba Faction, focusing on leadership roles, ownership of policy papers, and ticket distribution.