Kathmandu, February 9

Sudden demise of Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala just 23 days ahead of the party’s 13th National General Convention slated for March 3-6 in Kathmandu has forced the NC to put off its local and district-level conventions for 13 days, but it cannot postpone the NGC date without violating a provision of the new constitution.

A political party should compulsorily hold its general convention within five years and six months, according to the Constitution of Nepal.

The constitution mentioned the new provision after the NC failed to hold its NGC within five years as per the earlier provision.

The NC can postpone the NGC only if the constitutional provision is amended before the NC convention.

“We have decided to put off all programmes for 13 days but the party’s election committee will decide the date of the NGC by assessing local and district-level conventions,” said NC General Secretary Prakash Sharan Mahat after the CWC meeting.

The CWC decided to fly the party’s flag at half mast for 13 days and close the offices of the party and its wings till February 15.

The party would organise tribute meetings on the 13th day of Koirala’s demise and offer mortal remains of Koirala at holy places in 75 districts on that day.

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