KATHMANDU, Oct 1: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Pradip Paudel has reiterated that the party must convene its regular general convention before the election scheduled for March 5 amid escalating internal disagreements over the timing of the convention.
Paudel argued that the party’s electoral performance would improve only if it goes to the public with a renewed mandate and leadership. “People prefer new leadership and vote for it,” he told Republica, adding that the convention is essential not only to elect new office-bearers but also to revise and institutionalise key policy positions.
“There are two platforms in the party to discuss policy matters — the Mahasamiti meeting and the general convention. Since holding a Mahasamiti meeting is not possible this year, policy decisions can only be institutionalised through the general convention,” he said. Critical issues such as constitution amendments, the debate over a directly elected executive head, corruption concerns raised by Gen Z and other emerging national matters must be addressed, he stressed.
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A scheduled Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Friday was postponed once again as the leadership faction and the rival camp failed to agree on when to hold the 15th General Convention. While the establishment faction has argued that time constraints necessitate a post-election convention, Paudel’s faction has demanded that it be held before the polls.
Also a former Health Minister, Paudel insisted there is still sufficient time. Recalling the 11th convention held within 60 days during the leadership of Girija Prasad Koirala, he said: “The situation then was far more difficult. Today, the environment is much easier.”
He urged the party to finalise the convention timeline in Sunday’s meeting. “We can complete it by the end of Poush (mid-January). If not, at least ward-level conventions should be completed by December 10 with the rest concluded by January 16. Extensions are permissible only in an emergency — and there is no emergency now,” he stated.
The rival faction — led by General Secretaries Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Gagan Thapa — has pushed for a regular or, if necessary, special convention. A petition signed by 2,488 of the 4,743 convention representatives has already been submitted to Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, fulfilling the 40 percent threshold to demand a special convention.
However, the establishment faction has reportedly resisted accepting the petition, fearing it could pave the way for a no-confidence motion. Paudel warned that the leadership must either conduct a regular convention or face a mandatory special convention. “More than 40 percent have already signed. If we file this formally, the party will be compelled to conduct a special convention within three months,” he noted.
Paudel dismissed speculation that pushing for the convention could split the party. “Exercising a constitutional right within the party statute cannot be labelled as an attempt to divide the party. If using such provisions could split the party, then the provision itself should not exist,” he argued.
Paudel, who contested for general secretary in the previous convention and narrowly lost, did not confirm his candidacy this time but hinted at an ambition for a top post. “I will not run for a lower position than before,” he said, adding that his final decision will follow consultations with colleagues. “No ifs, no buts — the party must hold its regular general convention before the election,” he added, stressing the priority.
