Nepali Congress leaders close to Shekhar Koirala and Shashank Koirala held a discussion on Sunday and concluded that they will accept the Supreme Court’s verdict and stand in favor of broader party unity.
The discussion took place on Sunday morning at Shekhar’s contact office in Bishalnagar, Kathmandu. However, Shekhar himself was not present as he was in Biratnagar.
The meeting was organized by former vice-president Dhanraj Gurung in coordination with Shekhar. Former general secretary Shashank Koirala, along with leaders and lawmakers from his faction, also attended the discussion.
Gurung informed Setopati that the discussion between the Shekhar and Shashank factions concluded with a decision to accept the court’s verdict and work toward broader unity within the party.
“Those who believe in democracy cannot refuse to accept a court verdict. As democrats, we accept the decisions of an independent judiciary, as we have always done,” he said. “We all feel a sense of responsibility to reform the party further. We will stand for the party’s broader interest and unity.”
Participants in the meeting included Gurung, Shashank Koirala, former joint general secretaries Jeevan Pariyar and Badri Pandey, as well as leaders such as Minendra Rijal, Dilendra Prasad Badu, Sarita Prasai, Chandramohan Yadav, and Sita Thapaliya, among others.
The meeting also concluded that they will move forward by accepting the leadership of Gagan Thapa, who became party president through a special general convention in January. The factions of former president Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with Shekhar and Shashank, did not participate in that convention. The Supreme Court has since validated the special general convention.
“Once we accept the court’s verdict, there is no question of rejecting Gagan Thapa’s leadership,” Gurung said. “We will all stand for the party’s greater good.”
He also said that they would not participate in a separate discussion organized on Sunday in Dhumbarahi by the faction of former vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka. The Koirala faction also skipped a meeting held on Saturday at Khadka’s residence.
Former joint general secretary Jeevan Pariyar recalled that although there were differing views within the party regarding the special general convention, they had made every effort to build consensus at the time.
"A new situation has arisen now following the Supreme Court's verdict. In this context, it is the duty of all of us to accept the verdict and make the party more united. It is common knowledge that since the party's founding – and even during the prohibition era – we have maintained faith, loyalty, and respect for an independent judiciary," Pariyar said.
He added that working for the party’s broader interest and unity and building a stronger organization is a shared responsibility in the current situation.
"However, the central committee and the president bear an even greater responsibility. In this difficult situation, I urge all party colleagues to remain responsible and committed to facing the party’s challenges ahead," he said.
