Gagan Thapa-led Committee Signals Move Forward Without Leaders Who Rejected Special General Convention

Kathmandu. The committee led by Gagan Thapa, formed through the special general convention in the Nepali Congress, has indicated it will not move forward by including leaders who favor the regular general convention. The committee stated it will strategize on how to advance in the future rather than dwelling on the past.

Spokesperson Devraj Chalise stated that a new path cannot be forged by getting stuck in the old way. "We cannot chart a new path by getting stuck in the past. Therefore, our view is that once legitimacy is gained and we move forward, we should not look back," Spokesperson Chalise told Ratopati. "Until legitimacy was not there, it might have been one issue. Now that legitimacy is gained and we move forward, the focus is not on turning back, but on charting the path ahead."

He mentioned that those left out of the special general convention have the path open to return to leadership through the regular general convention. "In a democratic process, some are left out, and some come in. That is natural," Chalise said. "Those who were left out will return to leadership in the upcoming regular general convention."

Leaders including party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, elected in the 14th General Convention held in Mangsir 2078 BS, and leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala, have not accepted the special general convention held from Poush 27 to 30 last year. Leaders from their factions have not been included in the Central Committee formed from the special general convention. When asked about including those leaders, Spokesperson Chalise indicated they would not be included now, stating the path is open for them to win in the 15th General Convention.

Spokesperson Chalise stated that it is inappropriate to claim the dispute remains when leaders who allegedly did not accept the general convention contested the elections after taking tickets from the leadership selected through the special general convention. "Leaders who did not participate in the general convention contested the elections after taking tickets from the new leadership," Chalise said. "We should not return to old matters just because one or two people who did not contest the election say so. We must plan how to move forward." Chalise also mentioned that those who did not contest the election were involved in election campaign activities.

Spokesperson Chalise stated that the current time is not for getting entangled in disputes but for sending a message of unity to the cadres. "We should not get stuck in disputes now. We must unite and work to boost the morale of the workers," Chalise said.