Internal strife in Nepali Congress deepens as disciplinary committee seeks explanation from Purna Bahadur Khadka
Kathmandu. The hearing for the writ petition filed in the Supreme Court by the groups of Sher Bahadur Deuba and Dr. Shekhar Koirala, claiming official legitimacy, has been scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday).
However, on the day before, Wednesday, the central disciplinary committee issued a seven-day explanation notice to the outgoing acting president, Purna Bahadur Khadka. He has been asked to explain alleged activities contrary to the party statute, a move that has further escalated the conflict within the Congress party.
In a statement issued after the disciplinary committee meeting held at the party's central office in Sanepa, the seven-day notice to Khadka states, ‘Since the unauthorized issuance of a press release by former Nepali Congress Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka on 2082 / 12 / 30 appears to be against the party statute, it is decided to seek a 7 (seven) day explanation under Article 34, Sub-section 8 (d) of the Nepali Congress Statute 2017 (including amendments).’
Khadka has already responded that he will not provide an answer to this explanation. Speaking to Ratopati after the committee's decision, he said, ‘The explanation is meaningless and ridiculous.’
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He argued that it is ridiculous for a disciplinary committee formed by a committee resulting from a special general convention to seek an explanation, especially since they have filed a writ in the Supreme Court challenging the legitimacy of that convention, which is currently sub-judice. ‘Unilateral decisions are against the Constitution of Nepal, against prevailing laws, and against the Political Parties Act,’ he said.
He stated – It is against the Nepali Congress statute. I went to the honorable Supreme Court as the acting president with the authorization of the central working committee to file a case, arguing that it is against the precedents set by the Election Commission regarding disputes between parties. The special general convention is illegal. The working committee and other structures elected from it are illegal. I did not even run in the party election because it is politically unethical to go to an election with the signature of officials from an illegally elected working committee. That case is currently sub-judice in the honorable Supreme Court. In that situation, I learned from you that I have been asked for an explanation. The matter of seeking an explanation is meaningless. It is ridiculous.
On Wednesday morning, Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise stated that it was inappropriate for the acting president to issue a statement on the party's letterhead. However, he also mentioned that what to do about this does not fall under the jurisdiction of the working committee. ‘It does not fall under the authority of the central working committee; it is a matter within the jurisdiction of the disciplinary committee,’ Chalise said, ‘The committee looks at the statute and facts, not individuals or positions.’
From Poush 27 to 30, Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma held a special general convention without the consent of the then-president and other officials, and without a decision from the central committee. The special general convention elected Thapa as president and formed a new working committee.
After the Election Commission granted legitimacy to that committee on Magh 2, the Deuba and Dr. Koirala groups filed a writ petition demanding that they should be recognized as the official body. The Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing for that writ for Thursday.
Leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula has also described the decision to seek a seven-day explanation from Khadka as ridiculous and meaningless. Sitaula stated that it is absurd for a disciplinary committee formed by a body from a special general convention that they do not recognize to seek an explanation.
Sitaula argued that it is pointless to seek an explanation because Khadka did not issue the statement in a personal capacity, but as the acting president of the working committee formed by the 14th General Convention. ‘The explanation is not a private matter of Purna Bahadur Khadka; it is a matter of the central working committee that came from the 14th General Convention. We have not recognized the special general convention. Until a final decision is made on the writ we filed in the Supreme Court against it, the elected working committee from the 14th General Convention is legitimate,’ Sitaula told Ratopati, ‘All these things are coming out as decisions of the disciplinary committee in a way that shrinks and weakens the Congress; that is unacceptable to us.’
With Khadka unlikely to respond to the explanation, leaders are concerned that the establishment faction may escalate disciplinary actions, which could lead to a split in the party.
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This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
