Kathmandu, June 11

Concluding that the prevailing factionalism plaguing the Nepali Congress would end only after the general convention, NC district presidents are preparing to propose that the party hold the next general convention within the stipulated time without any delay.

The NC district presidents’ gathering is slated from June 19 to 21 in Hetauda, Makawanpur.

The district presidents are of the view that the NC Central Working Committee meeting that was held to review the election loss could not come up with a concrete plan to maintain unity within the party and put an end to factionalism, one of the reasons for its defeat.

“There’s no alternative to maintaining unity in the party. The sooner the party president and senior leaders understand this fact, the better. Or else NC supporters will lose their faith in the party leadership,” said NC Nuwakot District President Jagadish Narsingh KC, adding that they did not see any possibility of ending factionalism until the next general convention.

As per the party statute, the NC general convention is held every four years. The last general convention was held around two years ago.

However, in order to hold the national general convention, preparations should begin immediately, said NC Panchthar District President Narendra Kumar Kerung. “It will easily take two years if we start today because we need to restructure our units from the lowest levels — ward, village, district and province,” said Kerung, adding there was no alternative to holding timely general convention so as to make the party a formidable force by the next general election after five years.

The gathering will also discuss reasons for the party’s defeat in parliamentary and provincial elections at the hands of the left alliance, and make necessary suggestions to the leadership so as to address weaknesses and avoid repetition of mistakes.

“Every one of us is responsible for the election defeat. All of the district presidents are ready to take responsibility. We will ask the leadership to also take its share of responsibility,” said KC.

One of the major agendas for the gathering is an amendment of the NC statute in order to restructure the party organisation in line with the country’s new federal set-up, and strengthen the party.

The district presidents are presently busy taking suggestions from lower-level party units and workers across the country for the same.

NC Jhapa District President Uddhav Thapa said they planned to compile the suggestions from across the country, endorse them by the gathering and present them in the upcoming Mahasamiti meeting, which would decide the party’s statute amendment.

Among other suggestions the district presidents plan to put forth, are giving full shape to all party units following due procedures and reservation quotas in all party units for youths aged between 18 and 30, among others.