Former Nepali Congress central members close to outgoing acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka are set to participate in the ward-level conventions scheduled for September 19 and 20 as part of the party’s 15th general convention.
Following a meeting held at Khadka’s residence in Golfutar on Monday, at least 31 former central members close to him concluded that they would participate in the ward conventions.
With most of the demands Khadka had put forward to the establishment faction having been addressed, his allies have decided to join the general convention process by participating in the ward conventions on September 19 and 20.
However, Khadka himself does not intend to participate in any convention for now.
Khadka has told his close allies that he cannot participate in the general convention process while his legal challenge against the special general convention remains pending at the Supreme Court. He had filed a petition seeking a review of the court’s decision on the special general convention and the court has also granted permission to proceed with the review.
“Most of the demands we put forward have been met. It would be appropriate for you to participate in the convention process wherever there is the tree symbol and the four-star flag,” a former central committee member who attended the meeting told Setopati, quoting Khadka. “Around 31 of us who became central members through the 14th general convention will participate in the ward conventions on September 19 and 20.”
According to the leader, Khadka now appears to have a faint hope that the Nepali Congress can remain united.
“The party is now 99 percent headed toward a split; I see only a 1 percent chance of a miracle. Since I am the person who has filed a case, I cannot go to any convention,” the leader quoted Khadka as saying.
At its latest meeting, the party’s central executive committee decided that those participating in the ward conventions would be granted a status equivalent to central members elected through the special general convention. However, some leaders close to Khadka expressed dissatisfaction with the wording of the decision, which indicated that they would be integrated into the current central committee only after participating in the ward conventions and joining the convention process.
They argued that it would be easier for them to participate in the ward conventions if they were directly nominated as central members.
Former central member Nain Singh Mahar confirmed that they would participate in the ward conventions on September 19 and 20.
“We will participate in the ward conventions,” he said. “We had already planned to participate in the conventions from the beginning.”
Under the party statute, even central-level leaders must be elected from the ward level in order to become general convention representatives. Previously, office-bearers and central members automatically became general convention representatives, but this provision was removed through the amended statute adopted by the special general convention.
Former joint general secretary Mahalaxmi Upadhyaya said that discussions were held at Khadka’s residence on Monday regarding the decisions made by the central executive committee, with further discussions scheduled for Tuesday.
She also said that 31 leaders including her had previously appealed to both factions to work toward party unity.
Those who made the appeal included Upadhyaya; former central member and Gandaki Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey, Shyam Ghimire, Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, Ramhari Khatiwada, Nain Singh Mahar, Sita Kumari Rana, Saraswati Bajimaya, Man Bahadur Nepali, Radha Ghale, Govinda Bhattarai, Umesh Jung Rayamajhi, Ishwari Neupane, Sita Gurung, Shanti Pariyar BK, Sushila Thing, Ganesh Lama, Rama Koirala Paudyal, Lalit Jung Shahi, Pradeep Kumar Sunuwar, Indra Bahadur Baniya, Anil Rungta, among others. Leaders say they appear ready to participate in the September 19-20 ward conventions.
“We discussed how to move forward, but we also need to consult the top leaders,” Upadhyaya said. “It’s not that we will simply come together. We are trying to ensure that the Nepali Congress holds its general convention with all its leaders together. We will continue discussions for another day or two. We want to move forward under the leadership of Sher Bahadur Deuba, and we want everyone to work together.”
She said that since those who renewed their active membership by December 25 will also be eligible to participate in the 15th general convention, they will consult leaders and party workers across the country.
Some leaders, however, said that they have yet to decide whether they should join the central committee.
“The executive committee has decided that if we participate in the ward conventions, we will have a status equivalent to central members elected through the special general convention, after which we may be nominated. The central general convention is scheduled for October 2 to 5 and is already approaching. We have yet to decide whether to join the central committee for such a short period,” a leader close to Khadka said. “But we will not go to Chundevi.”
Former acting president Khadka has also told his close aides that he will not go to Chundevi.
Parallel political activities are been conducted under the leadership of former general secretary Shashank Koirala after the Deuba faction held a national gathering from August 14 to 16 under Koirala’s leadership and decided, through the gathering, to appoint Koirala as coordinator of the 15th general convention preparation committee.
The Deuba faction has announced a schedule under which it will hold ward conventions on October 1, followed by conventions at various levels, and the 15th general convention from December 7 to 9. It has also appointed coordinators for the election, membership management, statute drafting, and disciplinary committees.
The Deuba faction, however, has rejected the decision of the central executive committee.
Meanwhile, some leaders who previously worked closely with Deuba are now expected to align themselves with Khadka and participate in the general convention being organized by the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa.
