KATHMANDU: The faction led by former Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and senior leader Shekhar Koirala is set to convene a national gathering on August 14. Concluding that the possibility of reaching an agreement with the establishment side led by President Gagan Thapa has become slim, both groups are preparing to chart a new political direction through this national gathering. According to leaders, the assembly could open the pathway toward forming a separate political party.

Former General Secretary Prakash Man Singh announced the national gathering on Wednesday during a program organized at the Nepal Academy on the occasion of the 44th memorial day of B.P. Koirala. “We inform you that a national gathering has been called for August 14,” he stated. “The schedule for the gathering will be made public later.”

According to him, convention delegates, along with presidents from district, constituency, provincial constituency, and ward levels, will be invited to the gathering.

Prakash Man Singh.

The Koirala faction also attended the program organized by the Deuba group. Shekhar Koirala, who was present on stage, did not state a clear stance regarding the formation of a new party. However, former Vice President Bimalendra Nidhi said that the national gathering would determine the group’s new course of action.

“Now, the possibility of reaching a consensus is very low,” he said. “The five-point proposal we sent should have served as the foundation for unity, but that possibility is fading away.”

Two programs on the same day

The Nepali Congress establishment faction observed B.P. Memorial Day at the party’s central headquarters in Sanepa, organizing a ‘Green Run.’ Meanwhile, the Deuba-Koirala faction held a separate event at the Nepal Academy. Observing the founding leader’s memorial day separately highlights the deepening rift within the party.

Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa. Photo: Thapa’s Secretariat

Former Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka accused President Thapa of refusing to compromise.

“Our proposal was to adjust the committee elected by the 14th General Convention. Later, we suggested accommodating everyone as much as possible within the committee elected by the special general convention, but the President did not agree.” Emphasizing that efforts for party unity should still continue, he added, “We are still asking to unite. If we are not integrated, we will not remain passive.”

Membership updating closed

On the very day the national gathering was announced, the Nepali Congress halted the active membership updating process.

The party had initially set a deadline of July 19 which was later extended to July 22.

Former Acting President of Nepali Congress, Purna Bahadur Khadka.

Acting Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Dulal stated that the updating process was suspended starting Wednesday.

“There will be no further updates now,” he said. “If any further decision needs to be made regarding this, the Central Committee will make it.”

The Nepali Congress had initiated the updating, renewal, and distribution of active membership on May 15. In line with preparations to hold the 15th General Convention by October, the deadline had been extended four times.

However, the Deuba-Koirala faction did not participate in the process.

According to the statute amended by the special general convention, updating membership at least once is mandatory. Provisions dictate that the membership of individuals who do not update will not be retained. Consequently, questions have arisen regarding the membership of leaders and cadre who abstained from the updating process.

Dulal mentioned that details of members updated through July 22, would be published on Thursday. “There is a symposium at the City Hall,” he said. “We will release the details either there or after the event.”

Nevertheless, the establishment side has adopted a strategy to advance the process for the 15th General Convention while seeking a political resolution for those wishing to join the updating process.

The Deuba-Koirala faction has been demanding an alignment between the structures elected by the special general convention and the 14th General Convention. They demand guaranteed representation in other committees and the formation of a political mechanism to ensure a fair 15th General Convention. However, leaders indicate that the establishment side has signaled these demands cannot be met.

Son and nephew of B.P. shared the same stage

While resolving to form a new party by calling a national gathering on the occasion of B.P. Memorial Day, B.P.’s youngest son, Shashank, and nephew, Shekhar Koirala, were present in the hall. Shashank has been close to the Deuba faction since the 14th General Convention. Shekhar, who previously presented himself as a centrist, also attended the Deuba faction’s event this time. Both were on stage when Prakash Man Singh announced the date for the national gathering.

Shekhar Koirala and Shashank Koirala.

Without speaking about the formation of a new party, Shekhar recalled B.P.’s policy of national reconciliation and stressed that broader unity is needed today. “The condition of Nepal’s nationalism today is a hundred times worse than when B.P. returned from exile in India in 1976,” he stated. “We must work together with all political forces to save nationalism and democracy.”

He claimed that when the Nepali Congress weakens, nationalism and democracy also weaken. “The country has moved toward anarchy, with growing authoritarianism and arbitrary rule,” he said. Accusing the party leadership of rising authoritarianism, he asserted that President Thapa must take responsibility if a split occurs. Speaking at the event, Shashank stated that as long as he is alive, he will not let B.P.’s ideology die in the party.

Ideological debate begins

During the event, Shekhar Koirala, Purna Bahadur Khadka, and Bimalendra Nidhi also raised questions about President Thapa’s ideological direction.

At the special general convention, Thapa had stated that the future ideology of the ‘New Congress’ would be ‘Social Democracy.’ However, non-establishment leaders argued that the core ideology of the Nepali Congress remains ‘Democratic Socialism.’

“This has been dubbed Nepali Congress 2.0,” Shekhar said. “The ideology we embraced is Democratic Socialism, formulated by B.P. He has called it Social Democracy. Has he set Democratic Socialism aside?”

Photo: Khilanath Dhakal

He emphasized that even if Thapa abandons it, they will not abandon Democratic Socialism. Khadka also accused the leadership of straying from B.P.’s ideology. “The country today is a hundred times weaker than it was in 1976,” he remarked. “At a time like this, B.P.’s policy of reconciliation is even more necessary. Nationalism can only be safeguarded through dialogue, consensus, and unity.” Noting that power derived solely from the special general convention is insufficient, he stated that President Thapa cannot succeed while excluding a large section of the party.

Nidhi claimed that shifting from Democratic Socialism to Social Democracy is regression rather than progression. “The Nepali Congress embraced Democratic Socialism,” he said. “Gagan has proposed Social Democracy, which is not progress.”

Leaders including Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Prakash Sharan Mahat, N.P. Saud, Bhimsen Das Pradhan, Ramesh Lekhak, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, and Min Bahadur Vishwakarma attended the event. Most speakers concurred that President Thapa ought to take the initiative for party unity.

Leaders Khadka and Sitaula stated that youth would now be pushed forward into leadership. “The gathering will convene and set the course of action. Gagan, be brave, but do not be deceitful. If you walk alone, you might stumble, and in the end, it will be us who pick you up,” Sitaula said, referring to some youth he had mentored in the past who lost their way. “We will still promote youth, but not those who lose their path.”