Nepali Congress (NC) is divided on whether to form committees at eight levels as per the federal structure or go for the next general convention.
A few central members speaking during the central committee meeting on Friday opined that election at all the levels should be held at the time of 14th general convention.
Members from the faction of Ram Chandra Paudel, after General Secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka submitted the proposal of 14th general convention in the meeting, stressed on the need for announcing working schedule for the general convention instead of forming interim committees.
The party statute requires formation of committees as per interim provisions while going for federal structure. The faction of NC President Sher Bahadr Deuba argue that schedule for 14th general convention should be prepared only after formation of interim structures as per Article 72(4) of the party statute.
"How can the date for 14th general convention be fixed without forming interim structures? This is not in accordance to the statute," NC Vice-president Bimalendra Nidhi said.
The Paudel faction, on the other hand, argues that the party should start preparation for 14th general convention also to comply with the provision of party statute that requires election of all lower levels a year before the general convention.
The term of Deuba expires in March 2020. The statute allows him to extend his term by a year.
The factions of Paudel and Krishna Prasad Sitaula suspect that Deuba is trying to eat up time by forming interim structures as he wants to extend his term. Sitaula claimed that the office-bearers have not consulted him about whether to form interim structures or not.
