KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress has intensified efforts to collect signatures from general convention representatives with the aim of holding the party’s 15th General Convention, even if it requires submitting signatures to the Central Committee.

According to Central Committee member Pratima Gautam, around 50 percent of the representatives have already signed, and the number is expected to rise further.

She added that the number of signatures would increase due to the rescheduling of the upcoming Central Committee meeting, noting that at least 55 percent of signatures are likely to be collected.

“We have already surpassed 50 percent, and we estimate that the figure will reach at least 55 percent. Once signatures from nearby districts are received, the exact data will be clear,” she said.

As per Clause 17(2) of the Nepali Congress statute—amended ten times—if the Central Working Committee deems it necessary, or if 40 percent of the General Convention members make a written request specifying special reasons, a Special Central General Convention must be called within three months of the petition being filed.

Following the Gen Z movement of September 8-9, internal discussions within the Nepali Congress have intensified over the need for leadership change.

Many within the party are demanding the replacement of the current leadership led by Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba and the election of a new Central Working Committee.

The party, which last held its 14th General Convention in 2021, is constitutionally required to conduct the next regular convention within the next two months.

However, the renewal of active memberships has not yet been completed, and the distribution of new memberships has not even begun—raising doubts over whether a general convention can take place within the deadline.

Ongoing meetings of the Executive and Office-Bearers Committees have been debating the need to fix a date for the regular convention.

Many party members are now demanding that the upcoming Central Committee meeting set the date. If the committee fails to do so, members are preparing to submit the collected signatures and push for a Special General Convention.

Meanwhile, the party has rescheduled its Central Committee meeting. The Executive Committee meeting held on Saturday decided to postpone it by two days—from the earlier date to October 14.

Party spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said the meeting was postponed because the ongoing Executive Committee meeting had not yet concluded.