BIRATNAGAR: Leaders of the dissident faction of the Nepali Congress on Sunday urged party unity and criticized the current leadership, warning that internal divisions have weakened both the party and democracy.

Addressing a gathering in Biratnagar, Shekhar Koirala said authoritarian tendencies were emerging within the party, alleging that ward chairpersons were being removed through verbal orders over membership-related disputes.

He stressed that consensus, cooperation and unity were essential, arguing that a weakened Nepali Congress would also weaken democracy and national sovereignty.

Former General Secretary Shashanka Koirala said the party had reached a weak position and needed unity, claiming that divisions had prevented the party from converting its grassroots support into votes.

He also criticized efforts to sideline senior leaders and questioned whether one person alone could lead the party.

Leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula urged President Gagan Thapa and Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma to end the debate over a special convention and focus on organizational unity, saying there was no need for further controversy.

Meanwhile, Mohan Bahadur Basnet accused the current leadership of taking the party to its weakest point and alleged that influential leaders were being marginalized through disputes over the renewal of active memberships.

He claimed senior figures were being deliberately sidelined by the leadership.