Nepali Congress dissident faction demands recognition of 14th General Convention committee

Kathmandu. Leaders from the Nepali Congress dissident faction have insisted that they can only proceed to the regular general convention after recognizing the Central Working Committee elected from the 14th General Convention. 

During a meeting on Wednesday involving groups led by Sher Bahadur Deuba and Dr. Shekhar Koirala, leaders including Guru Baral and Dr. Ran Bahadur Rawal clarified that they support moving toward the regular general convention only after legitimizing the Central Working Committee elected in accordance with party rules and statutes. 

The leaders asserted that they will begin preparations for the 15th General Convention following the Supreme Court's verdict on the party's legitimacy case, emphasizing that all factions of the Congress must participate. Leader Baral clarified their stance on formally accepting the committee elected from the 14th General Convention to prepare for the 15th. 

He stated, 'It is essential for the Congress to recover quickly and reach out to the public. For that, we need to stand together in the 15th General Convention, setting aside all biases. The only way to achieve this is by formally accepting the Central Committee elected from the 14th General Convention. I urge all colleagues and leaders to move in this direction.' 

Another leader, Dr. Rawal, argued that the Central Working Committee formed by the group of former General Secretary Gagan Thapa is not legitimate and therefore unacceptable. He reiterated that they are preparing for the 15th General Convention while recognizing the leadership from the 14th. 

Leader Rawal said, 'We currently have a case in the Supreme Court. The leaders elected through the 14th General Convention, including the Central President and Acting President, have filed a case. While the former General Secretary and his colleagues claim their committee formed through a special convention is legitimate, we do not recognize it as such until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict. Since it was formed by a gathering rather than through established rules and procedures, there is conflict. The Nepali Congress is a party that operates based on rules, values, and principles. Therefore, the committee elected from the 14th General Convention cannot simply be removed. We do not accept the gathering of those who held the special convention.' 

Meanwhile, the establishment faction has already begun preparations for the regular general convention.