KATHMANDU: The legal battle over the legitimacy of the Nepali Congress (NC) leadership reached a new peak after the outgoing President Sher Bahadur Deuba faction filed a review petition in the Supreme Court, challenging its ruling that upheld the Gagan Thapa-led central committee.

The petition, submitted Thursday on behalf of Deuba and outgoing Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, claims the apex court’s decision was flawed in law and fact.

The move follows the Supreme Court’s full text release validating the Election Commission’s decision to recognize the Thapa-led committee elected from the special general convention.

Addressing five key constitutional questions, the court ruled that a special convention requisitioned by 40 percent of general convention delegates is a mandatory democratic process rather than a discretionary choice for the party leadership.

The court further noted that the Election Commission acted within its legal duty by updating party records, adding that candidates fielded under Thapa’s authorization had already participated and won seats in the House of Representatives elections.