Thapa–Sharma revolt gains establishment backing as Nepali Congress holds special convention

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma have successfully convened a special general convention of the party, defying repeated attempts by the party establishment to block the process. The special convention was held at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu, marking a significant escalation in the internal power struggle within Nepal’s oldest political party.

The move comes after months of internal discord over the party’s leadership, governance style, and adherence to the party statute. According to party sources, around 55 percent of general convention representatives had already submitted their signatures on Ashoj 29, demanding a special convention.

However, the establishment faction countered the move by calling a central committee meeting on Mangsir 15, fixing a regular general convention for Poush 26–28. That schedule was later altered again, pushing the convention to the end of Baisakh, prompting Thapa and Sharma to invoke statutory provisions and proceed with the special convention.

The Nepali Congress statute mandates that a special general convention must be convened if at least 40 percent of elected representatives submit a formal request. Thapa and Sharma argued that the legal threshold had been met and accused the party leadership of deliberately delaying the convention to retain control.

Despite the establishment faction issuing repeated directives asking representatives not to travel to Kathmandu and questioning the legitimacy of the special convention, several senior leaders from within the establishment camp attended the opening ceremony, signaling visible cracks within the party leadership.

Leaders aligned with Dr. Shekhar Koirala’s faction, who have long positioned themselves as an alternative to the Deuba-led establishment, were also present at the convention. Notably, Gopal Man Shrestha, who had sided with Sher Bahadur Deuba during the party split in the past, attended the opening session despite health issues.

“Party leadership must function according to method and statute,” Shrestha said at the event. “Decisions taken by the special general convention must be implemented. No one should act obstinately. A party cannot be run on the credit of history alone. The style of leadership must change, and young leaders must be brought forward.”

Several prominent leaders from the establishment side, including Co-General Secretary Farmullah Mansur and central committee members Udaya Shamsher Rana, Arjun Joshi, Rajan KC, Nanu Bastola, Devendra Raj Kandel, Pushpa Bhusal, and Binod Chaudhary, publicly backed Thapa and Sharma. Veteran leaders Taranath Ranabhat, Mahesh Acharya, and Omkar Prasad Shrestha were also present at the opening ceremony.

From the Shekhar Koirala camp, leaders Chandra Bhandari and Sunil Sharma attended the event. Former Koshi Province Chief Minister Kedar Karki said the success of the special convention was essential to safeguard both the party and the country, underscoring the broader political stakes attached to the internal contest.

Efforts to bring party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka to the opening ceremony were unsuccessful. Following this, Thapa and Sharma themselves formally inaugurated the special general convention.

Ahead of the opening session, rallies were organized from multiple locations, including Kupondole in Lalitpur and Sundhara, Ratna Park, Padmakanya Campus Chowk, Shankardev Campus, and Kamalpokhari in Kathmandu. The opening ceremony witnessed a large turnout of party leaders and cadres, reflecting the intensity of the internal debate and the growing demand for organizational reform within the Nepali Congress.