Kathmandu — Amid growing disagreement within the Nepali Congress over the timing of its general convention, around 30 Central Committee members close to party president Sher Bahadur Deuba have held a separate meeting and issued a public appeal urging unity within the party.
Push for General Convention Before Election
The leaders, who have been advocating for holding the party’s general convention before the next general election, met on Sunday and released a joint statement. They said that resolving internal disputes has become essential to restore public confidence and prepare the party for the upcoming House of Representatives election.
Those aligned with this position include Rajendra KC, Bharat Kumar Shah, Arjun Prasad Joshi, Pushpa Bhusal, Karnabahadur Budha, Ganesh Lama, Dila Sangraula, Udaya Shumsher Rana, Nanu Bastola, Abdul Razzaq, Devendra Raj Kandel, Yogendra Chaudhary, Bahadur Singh Lama, Dilman Pakhrin, Mohan Acharya, Amrit Aryal, Chin Kaji Shrestha, among others. They said they had earlier met party president Deuba, leader Shekhar Koirala, and general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma to draw their attention to the need for dialogue-based solutions.
Appeal for Unity Ahead of Polls
In their appeal, the leaders emphasized that with the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21, 2082 (early March 2026), the party must present itself as a more credible and trustworthy option for voters. They said the Nepali Congress should enter the election embracing agendas of change and transformation, backed by new thinking and vision.
The statement notes that general convention representatives have already formally submitted a written demand calling for a special general convention. Respecting the views of those representatives, the leaders have urged the party leadership to pursue dialogue and consensus, unite the party, and create a results-oriented environment in favor of the Nepali Congress ahead of the election.
Despite opposition from much of the party establishment, the general secretaries have announced that a special general convention will be held on Poush 27 and 28 (mid-January). Against this backdrop, Central Committee members close to Deuba convened discussions and issued the appeal on Sunday.
Some of them are also holding further talks in New Baneshwor, while leaders who have consistently favored holding the general convention after the election are preparing for separate discussions.
The leaders concluded that only by resolving internal disagreements through dialogue and forging broader unity can the Nepali Congress strengthen itself and present a credible alternative to the public in the forthcoming election.
