The Nepali Congress convened a special general convention in Kathmandu, drawing significant participation from delegates on its opening day. This gathering, initiated by party General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, signals a strong undercurrent of demand for internal reform within the party.
The impetus for this special convention stemmed from the “Gen Z movement” of September 8-9. Following this, Thapa and Sharma, bolstered by the support of a majority of the 14th general convention representatives, called for fundamental leadership transformation and organizational reforms. Their argument was that the party’s existing leadership structure was no longer suited to the political landscape, particularly after the Congress-UML government’s ouster.
A Contentious Path to the Convention
The push for a special general convention was formally lodged in accordance with Article 17(2) of the party statute, requiring the submission of signatures from over 54 percent of the 14th general convention delegates. However, the party’s established leadership reportedly resisted this demand, exacerbating internal divisions.
A Central Committee meeting on December 1 initially deferred the special convention proposal, opting instead for a regular general convention scheduled for December 31. This decision, however, proved short-lived. The Central Committee subsequently postponed the regular convention to May, leaving the faction advocating for a special convention with no alternative but to pursue their original objective. This ultimately led to the convention held on Sunday, marking the second special general convention in the Nepali Congress’s history.
Delegate Turnout and the Call for Change
Organizers of the special convention reported an enthusiastic turnout, with over 56 percent of the party’s total general convention delegates in attendance on the opening day. Leaders of the reformist faction expressed optimism that this figure could climb to 70 percent by Monday. As of Sunday evening, 2,662 out of the 4,743 delegates had verified their presence.
Political analysts interpret this substantial delegate participation, despite reported efforts by the party establishment to dissuade attendees, as a clear mandate for leadership change. The high turnout has also diminished concerns about a potential party split, a fear that had been voiced by both Congress leaders and independent observers.
Chandra Dev Bhatta, a political analyst, commented, “This level of participation suggests that the demand for change is legitimate. It also minimises suspicions that the party might fracture after the convention.” He further noted that with approximately 60 percent of delegates engaged in the two-day event, the possibility of an outright split has become increasingly unlikely.
Congress leader Shekhar Koirala, in a video statement, pledged to maintain the party’s unity.
The Political Crossroads
The significant backing for the special general convention has placed the current party president, Sher Bahadur Deuba, in a minority position within the party, according to Arun Kumar Subedi, a political analyst and former foreign policy advisor to Deuba. Subedi outlined two potential paths forward for the Congress:
- Acceptance of the Special General Convention: This would involve embracing the outcomes and decisions made at the convention.
- Concession and Re-evaluation: The Deuba faction could acknowledge its minority status and potentially seek a different electoral symbol from the Election Commission for upcoming polls.
Party establishment figures, aligned with President Deuba, had argued against the feasibility of a special general convention due to time constraints, citing an upcoming election announced for March 5 and the Election Commission’s January 20 deadline for submitting candidate lists. They contended that the party should prioritize election preparations over a major organizational overhaul.
Key Absences and Future Agendas
Notably, key figures from the party establishment, including President Deuba and acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka, were absent from the special convention’s opening day. General Secretary Thapa expressed his expectation that these leaders would attend the closed-door session on Monday.
Speaking at the convention on Sunday evening, Thapa asserted that the decisions made in the closed-door session would be considered final, regardless of the establishment’s presence. He emphasized that the party statute grants the general convention ultimate authority, stating, “The Nepali Congress statute clearly states that nothing is beyond the ambit of the general convention. It is the convention that chooses leaders, and it is the convention that can also change them.” Thapa also indicated the convention’s power to amend not only party policies but also the statute itself, hinting at significant transformations.
Proposed Reforms and Future Direction
The closed-door session on Monday was slated to feature General Secretary Sharma presenting the organizational report and General Secretary Thapa presenting the political report. Sharma’s organizational report is expected to reintroduce proposals previously rejected, including:
- Term Limits: The report is said to propose term limits for various positions within the party:
- National President: One term
- Prime Minister: Two terms
- Minister: Three terms
- Member of Parliament: Four terms
- Gen Z Representation: The report advocates for ensuring representation of younger generations throughout the party structure, from the central level to the ward committees. This includes reserving:
- 20 seats in the central committee for members under 30 years of age.
- An additional 20 seats for members in the 30-40 age group.
During the inaugural session, Sharma highlighted that his proposals would specifically address term limits for the prime minister.
Broader Participation and a Call for Unity
Beyond the two General Secretaries, other prominent figures present at the inauguration included joint general secretary Pharmulla Mansoor and familiar faces such as Arjun Narsingh KC, Mahesh Acharya, Pradeep Paudel, Chandra Bhandari, and Sunil Sharma. Notably, at least 30 central committee members who were previously associated with the Deuba camp also participated. Former Koshi Chief Minister Kedar Karki, known for his proximity to Shekhar Koirala, was also in attendance.
Gopal Man Shrestha, a long-time member of the Deuba camp, addressed the convention, emphasizing the critical juncture the country faces and urging against stubbornness. He stressed that “the entire rank and file of the party should fully comply with the decision of the special convention.”
General Secretary Sharma expressed that the party is now poised for a “forward march,” advocating for a fresh approach and renewed hope. While the specifics of this “new way” remain to be detailed, the sentiment suggests a desire for significant evolution within the party.
Historical Precedent
The Nepali Congress has a precedent for special general conventions leading to leadership changes. In May 1957, ahead of the country’s first general election in 1959, then-party president Subarna Shamsher recognized the need for “dynamic leadership” in electoral politics. This led to the organization of the first special general convention, which subsequently re-elected B.P. Koirala as party president.
