KATHMANDU, Jan 6: The Nepali Congress (NC) has officially declared that the justification for holding a special party convention has ended, directing its subordinate bodies to focus entirely on the upcoming March 5 elections.
While some leaders, including General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, continue to push for a special convention, the party has issued a clear circular stating that such a convention is no longer warranted. The circular refers to the party’s December 1 decision, emphasizing that all energy must now be channelled toward the general election.
NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula has echoed the call, urging party leaders and workers to dedicate themselves fully to election preparations. Addressing representatives on Monday, he dismissed rumors about a special convention: “There will be no special convention. You do not need to come to Kathmandu. Focus on election preparations and nomination submissions.”
NC General Secretaries demand party statute be respected with s...
Sitaula underscored that the party’s Central Work Execution Committee (CWEC) decisions must be respected and stressed party unity: “Congress will not fracture, and we will not let it happen. Some may wish for internal disputes or a weakened party, but we will not allow that. The Congress moves forward united.”
Meanwhile, supporters of Thapa and Sharma have been circulating promotional material on social media in favor of a special convention. In response, five NC provincial chairs (excluding Lumbini and Gandaki) released statements confirming that the special convention is no longer justified. They cited the December 1 CWEC decision, which scheduled the party’s 15th General Convention to begin at the ward level on December 31 and conclude from January 10–12.
The special convention could not proceed as planned because mandatory renewal and distribution of active membership, required before the convention, were not completed on time, preventing the Central Election Committee from taking charge. The CWEC, in its January 2 meeting, scheduled the regular convention for May 11–14, 2026, making a special convention unnecessary.
Following this, former signatories of the NC convention representation have begun withdrawing their endorsements. Leaders supporting the special convention, including Thapa and Sharma, are reportedly under pressure not to take any steps that could divide the party.
Parties coordinate ahead of National Assembly elections
In parallel, political parties, including the NC, have agreed to coordinate for the National Assembly elections on January 21. The four main forces—NC, CPN-UML, Maoist Centre (now Nepali Communist Party), and the Madhesi Front (Democratic Socialist Party and Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal)—are working out seat-sharing arrangements. Final discussions on quotas are ongoing.
The NC has emphasized that alliances are essential for success. The CWEC meeting on Monday concluded that results cannot be achieved without coordination. NC leader Sitaula noted that contesting alone could be risky, and talks with other parties are ongoing: “It has not yet been finalized which parties we will coordinate with for the National Assembly elections or which provinces Congress will secure quotas in. Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka and Ramesh Lekhak are engaged in discussions with other parties.”
Sitaula also clarified that the party has no policy to form electoral alliances for the House of Representatives elections. NC spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat echoed the view, noting that while Congress might secure more votes on its own, alliances among other major parties could complicate outcomes. “Leadership-level discussions are ongoing, and a conclusion may be reached by tomorrow (Tuesday). Talks are being held with parties that have enough voting strength to win,” he said.
