Kathmandu, January 6

The Nepali Congress is preparing to hold the party’s Maha Samiti meeting to review its performance in the recently held elections, organisational structure  and to make future guidelines after formation of the new government.

According to a source close to Prime Minister and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, the  Maha Samiti meeting would be held in mid-April. “We have set this tentative date considering the time required for formation of the new government and preparations for the meeting,” the source added.

The meeting will review the political developments and party’s position following the party’s 13th general convention held in Kathmandu in March 2016.

As per the party’s statute, the Maha Samiti meeting should be held once annually. The Maha Samiti meeting is also authorised to amend the party’s statute and take other vital  decisions. All central committee members and office bearers of the party are members of the Maha Samiti.

According to NC leader Ramesh Lekhak  Maha, the Maha Samiti will discuss the current political developments and the future course of the party.  “The forthcoming Central Working Committee meeting of the party may set the date for  Maha Samiti meeting,” said Lekhak.

Party’s central member Gagan Thapa said the forthcoming  Maha Samiti meeting  should decide to hold early national convention of the party. “Time has come to hand over the leadership of the party to new generation in the context of new political situation in the country,” he said.

Thapa said the Maha Samiti was not only a regular party event but could be a epochal event in the party’s history if it took crucial decisions. “We need to restructure the party organisation in line with the federal set-up of the country,” he added.

Thapa further said that the party need not wait for another two-and-a-half years to hold its national convention.

Another NC leader Bal Krishna Khand told THT that the  Maha Samiti meeting would focus on the party’s organisational structure.  “The Maha Samiti meeting has nothing to do with changing the leadership. The issue of leadership can be addressed only through the general convention. The next central working committee of the party will also discuss the issue,” he added.