Nepali Congress Faction Holds Unity Rally in Biratnagar

Biratnagar. The establishment faction of the Nepali Congress held a regional gathering in Biratnagar on Sunday with the slogan 'Grand Unity, Common Commitment'.

Although the organizing body was stated as the regional committee, the regional committee chairman Uddhav Thapa was absent. The program, which had Dr. Shekhar Koirala as the chief guest, was presided over by General Secretary Bhupendra Rai, and conducted by the Biratnagar Metropolitan City Chairman Deepak Chapagain.

While the central committee led by Congress President Gagan Thapa is unilaterally updating the active membership and preparing for the 15th General Convention, this gathering of all groups within the establishment's opposing faction (including Deuba, Koirala, and Sitoula) has sent two messages. The first message is that the party may split, and the second is that Koirala is the universally accepted leader of the opposing faction.

Leaders delivered speeches to support this point. Congress leader Bal Bahadur KC urged Dr. Shekhar to take the lead. 'The Nepali Congress must be united. Shekhar Koirala has taken the leadership, we must support him,' KC said.

Not only KC, but former General Secretary of the party Shashank Koirala claimed that the party has clearly split. 'I went to Koirala's residence today, tears came to my eyes. But Congress is broken today, it has been broken. The court broke it, which was wrong,' he said, 'Now the party must move forward united.' He didn't just say this, but now his elder brother Dr. Shekhar Koirala will lead it.

'Only after the party unites will Congress gain strength. This gathering had to be held for party unity. He is also my elder brother. Shekhar Dai is leading the party unity. We are with him,' Shashank said. He claimed that Gagan Thapa could no longer run the party. 'Can you run the party keeping so many people out?' he asked Gagan Thapa.

Leader Vijay Kumar Gachchhadar, who is also a former Vice-President of Congress, cautioned the Koirala faction. Gachchhadar advised leader Shekhar Koirala to give up his ego for the greater good of the party and to have a broader perspective. 'Don't talk too much about ego. I have seen the Nepali Congress split due to ego. I want to send a message to Shekhar Dai too - rise above your own interests. You must also have a very big heart, it won't work without a big heart,' he said.

Gachchhadar urged Gagan Thapa not to be arrogant despite becoming the political president through a special convention and court process, and to learn from the elders. 'Gagan Thapaji, you have become the president of Congress through a special convention. Not only that, you have become a legally strong president through the Supreme Court. If you don't know the role of a president, learn! Learn from gurus like Krishna Sitoula, learn from Minendra Rizal,' he said.

Leaders said that making Dr. Shekhar Koirala the chief guest and moving forward sends a message that he is the leader of the opposing faction. Former central member Bhim Parajuli said that everyone accepting him has sent a message. 'By making Dr. Shekhar the chief guest, a message of unity has been sought,' he said, 'This indicates that all groups in favor of the regular general convention will unite.'

Bhupendra Rai, General Secretary of Congress Koshi Province, also said that it indicates that everyone opposed to the establishment will unite. 'This is a message that all of us will unite,' he said. Former central member of Tarun Dal, Netra Poudel, claimed that Dr. Shekhar Koirala will now be the universally accepted leader. 'The message of this gathering is clear, isn't it?' he said, 'All leaders who have been former vice-presidents and general secretaries are sitting here with Dr. Shekhar as the chief guest. Is there any confusion left?'

What did who say?

At the program, speakers expressed bitterness towards party president Gagan Thapa and vice-president Bishwaprakash Sharma. Most expressed concern that the party was heading towards division. However, leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala stated that the party would not be allowed to break under any circumstances. He said that since Congress needs to unite all its forces and move forward, they will proceed with agreement, cooperation, and unity in that direction.

'There should be agreement, cooperation, and unity within Congress. Congress cannot move forward without unity,' Koirala said, 'When Congress is weak, democracy is weak. When Congress is weak, the country's sovereignty and integrity are weakened.'

Former General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula said that Nepal is a country of the fearful. 'Even the President is scared. There was an agitation. The House of Representatives was dissolved, the Prime Minister was appointed. This is not imagined in the constitution, but we accepted it out of fear,' he said. He stated that the fragmented Congress cannot remove fear from the heart.

Former central member of Congress, Guru Baral, claimed that the party is on the verge of division. Leader Kundanraj Kafle emphasized party unity. 'There must be unity in Congress. But now Congress is being tried to be split. Gagan and Bishwa Prakash are trying to break the party and leave,' Kafle said.

Current central member Anand Santoshi Rai said that the unity of Congress is his objective. 'Congress is at a difficult juncture. We must move forward united in the 15th General Convention,' he said. Leader Sarita Prasai, targeting Congress Vice-President Bishwaprakash Sharma, said that the party is moving towards division.

Leader Umesh Jung Ramajhi claimed that the special general convention has divided the party into two factions. He said that the special general convention happened because the regular general convention did not take place. 'The regular general convention did not happen due to not following the constitution, ideology, and principles. We indulged in power. We violated the constitution and principles. Therefore, both factions of Congress have spoiled it,' he said. Ramajhi emphasized that party president Gagan Thapa should take the initiative for party unity. He urged everyone sitting on the stage not to be greedy for positions, stating that no old leadership of Congress has failed.

Leader Ram Hari Khadiva claimed that conspirators are trying to burn Congress, not just Singha Durbar. He said there is no alternative to the party moving forward united. Leader Govinda Shahi said that the four-star flag and the tree symbol given by the Election Commission through conspiracy have reached Gagan's hands. Pointing to the leaders and workers present at the gathering, he said, 'If this group is not united, democratic forces will be destroyed. Democracy will be destroyed.'

Leader Min Bishwakarma claimed that if Congress is not strong, the system will not remain, and if the system does not remain, the country will not remain. He said that the special general convention has divided the party, and Congress, which had 90 seats, has now reached its weakest state in history. Leader Mohan Basnet claimed that Congress is on the verge of division. He accused President Gagan Thapa of playing a villainous role. Leader NP Saud said that the Biratnagar gathering was for unity.