The second Special General Convention convened under the leadership of Nepali Congress General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma has injected fresh hope into Nepal’s democratic discourse. This, in essence, is how democracy regains its momentum. New leadership does not emerge by quietly submitting to the inertia of party elites, nor does such passivity energise a political organisation. The stagnation witnessed in major parties in recent years has, in fact, fuelled the Gen Z–led revolt in the country. When hope diminishes, dissent inevitably seeks space. Within the Nepali Congress as well, the call raised by young leaders—backed by figures across generations—has given this moment of rebellion both legitimacy and strength. From senior leaders like Gopal Man Shrestha to young members still finding their political footing, the participation and open expression of views at the Special General Convention held at Bhrikuti Mandap on Sunday offered a compelling tableau. The Nepali Congress is not confined to its President Sher Bahadur Deuba or a small circle around him. Those who gathered did so with the conviction that democracy can be strengthened only if the party corrects its course. The manner in which the convention unfolded—and the candid call for leadership introspection—stands out as a significant democratic exercise. Such moments, rare yet decisive, help shape the future direction of both party and polity.
No one should dream of going against democracy: PM Deuba
The party statute envisages Special General Conventions precisely for times like these. They serve as instruments for internal democratisation. Democracy is not merely rhetorical; it is sustained through practice. By standing firmly in favour of the convention, Congress workers have played a meaningful role in reinforcing democratic norms. Even during authoritarian rule, Congress leaders and cadres safeguarded democracy with remarkable resilience, keeping its flame alive through the darkest periods. The democratic spirit that survived past storms must not now wither from within. A party with a proud democratic legacy like the Congress must endure if democracy itself is to be protected—especially in a world increasingly strained by populism. The NC has weathered many crises in its history, often saved by timely and pragmatic decisions. The current party president, Sher Bahadur Deuba, once split the party to form the Nepali Congress (Democratic), only to later reunite it and assume its leadership again. During the ongoing convention, Deuba’s meeting with close aides at his Maharajgunj residence conveyed a clear message against party division. Notably, leaders backing the Special General Convention have focused less on factional arithmetic and more on policy reform. The process also signals a willingness to confront ego-driven debates over positions and power that have long weighed down the party.
This initiative will strengthen both internal party practices and the broader process of democratisation. It also reinforces the culture of timely accountability when democratic norms are threatened by monopolistic tendencies. The internal workings of political parties—often responsible for empowering anti-democratic forces—are in urgent need of reform. In this sense, the Congress’s experience has offered inspiration beyond its own ranks. It responds directly to the expectations raised by the new generation’s revolt and has helped restore public confidence among citizens who still look to major parties with cautious hope. The convention has also challenged the narrative that large parties have irreversibly lost their relevance. The diversity of voices and ideas on display has, in fact, strengthened the Congress. Too often, the mere expression of dissent is framed as a precursor to party splits. Within the Congress, such fears were deliberately amplified after calls for a Special General Convention emerged, in an attempt to silence alternative voices. Several prominent leaders were swept along by this narrative. In reality, the open exchange of ideas does not weaken a party; it revitalises it. The circulation of ideas within a party functions much like blood flow in the human body. A body with blocked circulation—and a party without intellectual and ideological exchange—are equally lifeless. Seen in this light, the message of the Congress convention is unmistakably positive. The thoughtful path it has outlined promises a smoother journey ahead. Addressing a cold evening in the final week of Poush, General Secretary Thapa offered a note of reassurance and resolve: We will take mature and democratic decisions.
