Kathmandu: Supporters of the demand for a special general convention of the Nepali Congress are organizing a major gathering today, asserting that only by revitalizing the party and heading into upcoming elections with new leadership can it remain relevant in the changed political context. The special meeting is set to take place this afternoon at the National Assembly, Exhibition Road, Kathmandu, where senior Congress leaders are expected to address the event.

The organizers claim that over 2,000 representatives will participate in the program, which begins at 1 pm. They believe the gathering will create momentum for holding a special general convention within the month of Poush to shake up the leadership and prepare the party for the upcoming House of Representatives elections with a renewed agenda.

According to the party statute, a special general convention must be held within three months if demanded by 40 percent of general convention delegates. Despite this provision, President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka have maintained that a regular general convention should take place only after the elections. The Central Working Committee meeting, which began on October 28, was extended until November 6 without reaching a decision.

On October 29, 54 percent of general convention delegates submitted their signatures to Acting President Khadka, formally meeting the threshold for demanding a special convention. This requires the party to hold the convention within three months, effectively by late January (Poush), and move forward under new leadership.

The demand for a special general convention gained momentum after the Gen-G movement in August, which exposed internal dissatisfaction and pushed the party toward introspection. Although Deuba had hinted at stepping back from active politics after being attacked during the movement, his return from Singapore after 18 days in October marked a renewed assertion of influence. He is reportedly pressing to distribute election tickets first and hand over leadership only after a regular general convention, causing further tension within the party.

Acting President Khadka’s recent decisions—including moving forward with election preparations for Mangsir 6 without resolving the general convention issue—have raised questions about his independence. His name was also absent during the party’s registration at the Election Commission, reinforcing perceptions of him being overshadowed by Deuba.

General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma, prominent supporters of the special convention, have publicly stated that there is no alternative to holding it within the statute-mandated timeframe. Thapa, addressing party members through social media, urged them to begin preparations, stressing that the special convention is inevitable.

If conducted per the party statute, leaders believe the special general convention will be held by Poush. Failure to do so, they warn, will push Nepal’s oldest and once-stable party into deep crisis, especially at a time when the public—energized by the Gen-G movement—expects transformation and accountability.

Various fraternal organizations of the Congress have been preparing for today’s gathering over the past three days. Despite 25 central members aligned with the establishment also demanding a special general convention, the establishment faction continues to resist.

Organizer Gururaj Ghimire confirmed that the gathering will start after 1 pm at Bhrikutimandap. Another organizer, Manoj Mani Acharya, said that hundreds of leaders and cadres from outside the Valley are arriving for the event. Youth leader Yubaraj Pandey noted that the gathering aims to pressure the Central Committee, which meets tomorrow. If the meeting fails to decide on holding the special general convention, supporters say they will publicly announce their next steps through today's gathering.