Chitwan, May 22:

The closed door session of the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU) could not be held today due to a dispute over the number of representatives in the student body’s general convention.

According to the former central president of the NSU, Keshav Singh, the session could not be held as no decision was taken on the representatives till evening today.

A panel consisting of former student leaders and some party leaders had been set up to settle the issue of the representatives.

The panel had been holding a meeting since morning today at the Mid-Regional Police Training Centre, 2 km away from the closed door session. Gagan Thapa, a student leader known for his republican stand, however said an understanding was reached during the meeting.

He said various decisions were taken on the number of representatives in the general convention and validity of the different district committees.

According to a student leader, it was agreed that 1,560 representatives would attend the general convention. However, currently there are over 1,700 representatives.

The confusion arose as the number of representatives from Nawalparasi and the eastern districts of Morang, Sunsari and Solukhumbu exceeded the set quota. The problems also arose as some districts have two separate committees that select the representatives.

Basu Koirala, Ranjit Karna, Badri Pandey, Sirjana Adhikari, Pradip Poudel and Bikas Koirala are the contenders for the post of the president in this general convention.

While Pradip Poudel said he has declared his candidature and has the backing of Gagan Thapa, Basu Koirala claimed that he has the support of the founders.