Article 17(2) of the Nepali Congress statute calls for a special central general convention and 54 per cent members have signed in favour of special convention
KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 16
Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma met President Sher Bahadur Deuba and stated that the special general convention mandated by the statute could not be bypassed. He has stated that if the party circumvents the statute, he will resign.
General Secretary Sharma has also informed President Deuba that he will resign from his position if the party decides to reject the written demand made by the general convention representatives by collecting signatures in accordance with the statute. General Secretary Sharma arrived at noon today to meet President Deuba, who had returned from Singapore on Friday. Sharma, who spoke with President Deuba for about an hour-anda-half, argued that the statutory demands should not be ignored.
A source close to Sharma told THT that he told Deuba that the special general convention was binding because it was a provision in the statute. "The Nepali Congress has stated that the dissolution of the Parliament violated the constitution and was not in accordance with it. The special general convention is a constitutional requirement of the party. If it is not addressed, we will not be operating in accordance with the constitution," General Secretary Sharma informed Deuba. "In such a case, I cannot justify my position beyond the party statutes."
The source also said that Sharma would release an official statement regarding the conversation with Deuba on Monday. Sharma has already informed Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka regarding his remarks to Deuba today. Article 17(2) of the Nepali Congress statute calls for a special general convention. A special general convention may be called if the Central Committee determines it is necessary or if 40 per cent of the general convention delegates sign and demand it. According to this article of the statute, 54 per cent of the general convention delegates have collected signatures and submitted them to Acting President Khadka. A special general convention can be called within three months of submitting a written demand. Since the written demand for a special general convention was submitted on October 15, the three-month period will expire on January 12, 2026. General secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have stated that if the regular general convention cannot be held between December 31 and January 3, 2026, a special general convention should be held. General Secretary Thapa also proposed the agenda for the 15th general convention at the Central Committee meeting.
The top leaders of the party have been unable to reach an agreement because they are not prepared for the general convention before the elections. In the Central Committee meeting, which has been ongoing since October 14, the top leaders have insisted that the general convention be held after the elections. The two general secretaries, Thapa and Sharma, believe that if the regular convention cannot be held, a special convention should be held instead.
Dr Shekhar Koirala, leader of the non-establishment party, believes that a regular general convention should be held prior to the elections. General Secretary Thapa had informed the Central Committee that since the leaders were not prepared for the regular convention, there was no other option but a special one. Thapa has also proposed that the special general convention be held on December 13.
