Congress Leaders Discuss Party Unity

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa and Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma held a discussion with former acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka regarding resolving internal party disputes. The meeting took place at Khadka's residence in Golfutar from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, as informed by Khadka's personal secretary Gautam BC. BC told Ratopati, "The three leaders met. An agreement has been reached to move forward by uniting the party." This is the second time President Thapa has met Khadka after the special general convention; the first meeting was on April 6th at Khadka's residence. President Thapa had briefed leaders from Khadka's group about his meeting with Khadka on April 6th during a group meeting at Smart Hotel on April 15th. During the meeting, Khadka stated that the President had sought suggestions on how to unite the party and informed the leaders about the advice given. Khadka had said, "The party appears divided into factions, with half the leadership inside and half outside. The responsibility to either unite it completely or lead it towards division now rests on the shoulders of President Gagan Thapa and Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma. How to proceed depends on your plans and strategies." Khadka conveyed that he is ready to end factionalism within the party and establish complete unity. Khadka stated in the meeting, "The future of party division or unity is in the hands of the leadership. We are ready to unite the party. The leadership needs to want it." He explicitly told the President, "There is no point in uniting the party in pieces; it must be done completely. The ball is now in your court on how to unite. Prepare a concrete roadmap and proposal for unity, and only then can further discussions take place." President Thapa also met Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala yesterday morning.