KATHMANDU: Internal negotiations within Nepali Congress party remain deadlocked over two unresolved issues, despite two rounds of talks held since morning, participants said to Nepal News.

According to leaders involved in the discussions, the party’s establishment faction has rejected a proposal that party president Sher Bahadur Deuba step away from active politics ahead of the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 05 (Falgun 21). The establishment has also not agreed to a demand that acting party president Purna Bahadur Khadka be authorized to sign election tickets for party candidates.

After negotiators said these matters would need direct discussion with Deuba and Khadka, the meeting of the dialogue committee was suspended.

The establishment side is represented in the talks by leaders Bal Krishna Khand, Ramesh Lekhak, Dr. Minendra Rijal, and joint general secretary Jeevan Pariyar. Representing the faction pushing for a special general convention—led by general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma—are central committee members Pradip Paudel and Madhu Acharya, along with leaders Guru Ghimire and Devraj Chalisey.

Negotiators said talks would resume after Khand and Lekhak consult with Deuba and Khadka. Aside from the two disputed issues, both sides are close to agreement on other matters, according to a member of the dialogue team. The establishment faction has also shown flexibility on formally recognizing the special general convention, the member added.