KATHMANDU, JANUARY 20
The Supreme Court has rejected the interim order sought in a writ petition concerning the leadership dispute within the Nepali Congress (NC).
The petition challenged the Election Commission's recognition of Gagan Thapa as NC President following the party's special general convention.
A hearing was conducted on Tuesday before a single bench of Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel. The group led by Sher Bahadur Deuba had contested the Election Commission's decision to authenticate the Thapa-led NC, but the Court denied the interim relief sought in favor of Deuba.
Justice Pokharel noted that the writ primarily raises constitutional questions relating to political matters, which require resolution through a final hearing, making an interim order unnecessary. However, the Court directed the submission of written responses in the case and granted it priority for hearing within 15 days of receiving the responses.
The petition was filed by Shravan Kumar Shrestha as an authorized representative of NC leaders Deuba and Purna Bahadur Khadka. It alleged that the special convention and the Election Commission's recognition of Thapa as NC President were illegal.
(With inputs from Rastriya Samchar Samiti)