KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress entered what leaders described as a decisive round of negotiations on Tuesday as party president Sher Bahadur Deuba convened talks at his Maharajgunj residence, even as preparations for a special general convention election continued at Bhrikutimandap.

The meeting, billed by party leaders as a final attempt to resolve the prolonged internal dispute, included General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, signaling the seriousness of the effort. Leaders from both factions were present, including Bal Krishna Khand and Ramesh Lekhak from the establishment side, and Dr. Minendra Rijal representing the Shekhar Koirala faction.

Despite the talks, the election process for the special convention has not been halted. Subas Pokharel, coordinator of the convention’s publicity subcommittee, said the establishment faction was making a last effort at dialogue, which the convention side was prepared to respect. “Our election schedule remains unchanged,” he said. “We acknowledge the talks, but if no agreement is reached, the process will move forward.”

Pokharel said the convention camp found it unacceptable that while the establishment appeared willing to accept the special convention, Deuba was unwilling to relinquish party leadership. He added that Deuba should step aside from active leadership and devote his remaining years to writing about the party and public life, arguing that only the electoral process now remains to resolve the crisis.

The party formally concluded its closed session Tuesday evening after approving a report submitted by the two general secretaries. Meanwhile, leaders backing the special convention have begun drafting a proposed slate of office-bearers.

While the door for negotiations remains open through Wednesday morning, party officials said preparations under a revised election timetable would proceed simultaneously, underscoring the growing likelihood that the leadership standoff will be settled at the ballot box rather than the negotiating table.