KATHMANDU, Aug 15: Leaders of the rival faction of the Nepali Congress (NC) have called for party unity while rejecting the legitimacy of the special general convention held in January, saying it was conducted in violation of the party statute and procedures.
Addressing a national gathering that began in Kathmandu on Friday, senior NC leaders said the party should move forward by recognizing the leadership elected by the 14th General Convention and preserving organizational unity.
After spending five months abroad, former NC president Sher Bahadur Deuba returned to Kathmandu on Thursday. Addressing the gathering, Deuba expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would deliver justice in the dispute over the party’s legitimacy.
Referring to the prolonged internal dispute, Deuba alleged that attempts had been made to weaken the party in the name of the special general convention. “I do not want to comment further because the matter is currently under review by the Supreme Court,” Deuba said. “However, I am fully confident that the Supreme Court will deliver justice to us.”
Recalling his opposition to the monarchy, Deuba said he had refused to compromise on democracy despite government pressure. “Many things have been said about former King Gyanendra. I said it myself: I am ready to obey the government’s orders, but I cannot go against democracy. After that, I was jailed,” he said.
Deuba also said the king had played a significant role in the transition to a republic. “The king played a major role in bringing the republic,” he said.
Special general convention of the party will be held after elec...
Arguing that the country had reached its current situation after promoting a narrative that “nothing happened in the past,” Deuba said despair should be transformed into hope. “That responsibility should also be taken by the Nepali Congress, the country’s oldest democratic party,” he said.
NC leader Purna Bahadur Khadka said party unity was essential to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and democratic system. “If we fail to remain united and advance our relations with neighboring and friendly countries with seriousness, the country will have to pay a heavy price,” Khadka said. “If we remain alert in time, the country may be able to avoid facing a disastrous situation.”
Dr Shekhar Koirala also stressed the need for unity, expressing confidence that the party would overcome its internal divisions. “The Nepali Congress is currently going through a divided state of mind. I am confident that the Nepali Congress will become united. It is necessary for the sake of the country,” Koirala said.
“We must always move forward by bringing everyone together in the party. We do not accept anyone’s dictatorship,” he added.
Former vice president Bimalendra Nidhi claimed that Deuba remains the legitimate president of the Nepali Congress. “Friends, please remember this. Sher Bahadur Deuba is still the president of the Nepali Congress. Take this message with you,” Nidhi said. “There is no one else.”
Former home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula criticized Gagan Thapa for convening the special general convention, calling it a major mistake. “Our younger brother Gagan Thapa is the one who convened the special general convention,” Sitaula said. “It cannot be accepted as a legitimate convention. It was unconstitutional and carried out through anarchic means.”
Leader Prakash Man Singh also alleged that the special general convention was not held in accordance with the party statute and regulations. “The party statute and regulations were mixed up to hold the special general convention,” Singh said. “Instead of allowing us to proceed according to the statute, efforts were made to split the party.”
Former vice president Vijay Kumar Gachhadar said Thapa’s actions had not reflected the spirit of reconciliation he had advocated. “I am in a dilemma because I am someone who wants party unity,” Gachhadar said. “I am not in any faction.”
He added that he had no intention of seeking any position.
Meanwhile, former NC general secretary Dr Shashank Koirala said a national gathering was necessary to bring the party together. Saying that Deuba and other senior leaders represented their faction, Koirala said the party could move forward as one under their leadership. “The responsibility to unite the Nepali Congress also belongs to us,” he said. “If the Nepali Congress becomes united, no one can defeat it. That is the main objective.”
Dr Koirala also recalled that his father, BP Koirala, had once referred to Deuba as the “prince of the West,” a remark that has remained part of the party’s political discourse.
NC Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma stressed the need to bring younger leaders into the party. Speaking at a meeting of the Central Working Committee, Sharma said change and youth participation should be advanced in accordance with the party statute and procedures.
“The Nepali Congress is currently going through a process of change through its statutes and procedures,” Sharma said. “If we have accepted the history of a 36-year-old youth becoming the country’s prime minister, we should also be able to readily accept a 50-year-old youth leading the party.” He said all party members should be allowed to advance through democratic procedures.
Meanwhile, Sujata Koirala, who is aligned with a different faction from her brothers Dr Shekhar and Dr Shashank, urged party leaders to act as guardians rather than compete for positions Speaking at the national gathering, she appealed to the rival faction to set aside their egos and join efforts to reunify the party. “I appeal to friends on the other side to set aside their egos and participate now,” she said. “Sher Bahadur Deuba should play the role of a guardian. Let us not fight for positions.”
