Kathmandu: The internal dynamics of the Nepali Congress (NC) have entered a decisive phase after Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka attempted to assert his influence on the same day President Sher Bahadur Deuba handed him acting leadership responsibilities.

Khadka’s Move Sparks Tension

Khadka tried to submit the signatures of 55 percent of general convention delegates demanding that the party enter the upcoming House of Representatives elections under new leadership following the Gen-G movement. However, his attempt was rejected, sparking slogans and protests at the party’s Sanepa headquarters.

Majority Backing for a Special General Convention

Out of 4,743 total delegates, 4,556 remain active, with 2,487 (54.58%) signing in favor of a special general convention. This surpasses the 40 percent threshold required under the party’s statute to call such a meeting.

Party General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma have taken the lead, collecting signatures and proposing either a regular or special general convention by Mangsir to address leadership renewal and internal reform.

Deuba Faction on the Defensive

While Dr. Shekhar Koirala’s absence from Gagan-Bishwo’s campaign has weakened his faction, Deuba’s camp has been pushed to a defensive position. The Deuba faction maintains that the party needs stability and unity, warning that a special convention could create division and insisting the process move forward through a regular convention instead.

Broader Political Implications

Political analysts suggest the growing unrest reflects a new power balance within the Nepali Congress. The push for a special general convention has become more than an internal matter—it now symbolizes the party’s response to the generational and political shifts brought by the Gen-G movement.

With the House of Representatives elections set for Falgun 21 (February 21), many within the party argue that the Congress must embrace the new public mandate, rebuild its internal democracy, and prepare for leadership transition to stay politically relevant.