The faction led by former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba is preparing to hold parallel provincial conventions after completing similar exercises at ward, municipal, constituency and district levels, as the party remains divided over its leadership and the legitimacy of a special general convention.
The faction plans to complete the provincial conventions by December 4 before holding a parallel national convention in Kathmandu from December 7 to 9.
The provincial conventions, originally scheduled to take place simultaneously in all seven provinces on November 20, will now be staggered. As November 20 coincides with the Haribodhini Ekadashi festival, the conventions will begin on November 21.
According to Ekraj Pokhrel, coordinator of the faction's election committee, the Gandaki provincial convention is scheduled for November 21-22, Lumbini for November 23-24, Bagmati for November 26-27, Sudurpaschim and Karnali for December 1-2, and Koshi for December 3-4.
No date has been fixed for Madhesh because constituency-level conventions there are yet to be completed.
“The dates could shift by a day or two at the last minute, but we are working to complete all provincial conventions by December 4 so that delegates can then travel to Kathmandu,” Pokhrel said. “The remaining constituency-level conventions will also be completed within a few days.”
So far, conventions have been held in 134 constituencies for the House of Representatives, he said. In Madhesh's eight districts, only the four constituencies in Dhanusha have completed their conventions. The other seven districts in the province are yet to hold theirs. Conventions are also pending in Manang, Mustang and Rasuwa.
Pokhrel said delays in appointing central representatives and district coordinators had held up the constituency conventions in Madhesh.
The constituency-level conventions are particularly important because they elect the general convention representatives who will vote at the national convention. These delegates determine the party's central leadership, making the constituency-level process more consequential for the national convention than the district and provincial conventions.
The Deuba faction has finally secured permission to hold the inauguration of its parallel national convention at Khula Manch in Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City had been reluctant to grant permission, citing complaints that the venue was left dirty after a convention organised by the party's establishment faction.
The establishment faction held its convention at the same venue from October 4 to 9. A leader from the Deuba faction said the metropolitan city granted permission after the faction argued that it had no suitable alternative venue and pledged to clean the grounds after the event.
“The inauguration will be held at Khula Manch, all closed-door sessions at Bhrikutimandap, and the election process at the Rastriya Sabha Griha,” the leader said.
More than 8,000 delegates are expected to attend the convention. The number includes elected delegates from constituencies and those entitled to participate by virtue of their positions in the party. Representation from the party's overseas chapters and sister organisations is yet to be finalised.
Deuba says no one can hijack the Nepali Congress
Former party president Deuba has said no individual or group can take control of the Nepali Congress at will, expressing confidence that the courts will rule in his favour in the dispute over the party's official status.
Speaking at the inauguration of his faction's parallel district convention in Lalitpur on Saturday, Deuba discussed the party's history, the legality of the special general convention and the dispute over which faction represents the legitimate Nepali Congress. He accused Gagan Thapa of hijacking the party.
Deuba cited an earlier instance of a special general convention, recalling that Suvarna Shumsher Rana was party president at the time, while BP Koirala was a member of the central working committee rather than the party president.
He said that in 1957, Rana had called a special general convention and handed over the party leadership to Koirala. Deuba, however, claimed that the latest special convention had been held without informing him.
“I had told Gagan ji that I would hold a regular general convention. The rules allow a special general convention if 40 percent of the delegates sign a petition. However, I questioned how such a convention could be held without verifying those signatures. Yet it was suddenly organised, and he became president,” Deuba said.
Deuba also said Shashanka Koirala, son of BP Koirala; Prakashman Singh, son of Ganeshman Singh; and Bimlendra Nidhi, son of Mahendra Narayan Nidhi, were on his side, arguing that his faction represented the party's historical legacy.
“I no longer seek anything for myself. But I have a duty to fight for democracy for as long as I live. A party that made me prime minister five times deserves my lifelong commitment,” Deuba said. “The Nepali Congress belongs to the people of Nepal. A party built through years of sacrifice, dedication and struggle cannot be hijacked by anyone other than its delegates.”
