Kathmandu: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has remarked that although an acting president has been appointed, the party’s remaining meetings and decision-making powers are still being exercised from outside, as party President Sher Bahadur Deuba did not attend the meeting.

Speaking to journalists after the party’s Work Performance Committee meeting on Wednesday, Thapa expressed concern over the president’s absence. He said that while an acting president has been designated, the arrangement appears to be only nominal, as the president continues to influence decisions without participating directly in meetings.

Thapa stated that the party has been wasting valuable time by repeatedly debating the general convention. He stressed that there is no justification for further delays and urged the leadership to move forward without procrastination.

Noting that the party statute provides alternatives, Thapa said that if the general convention cannot be held as planned, the option of a special general convention remains open. He added that the party has already spent the past month in internal discussions and should now focus on decisive action.

According to Thapa, party leaders and cadres across the country realized the president’s conciliatory role when he urged unity for the party’s benefit and called for holding the convention within Mangsir, while distancing himself from day-to-day involvement.

Thapa also informed that he had proposed sending central representatives with full authority to the field for a few days to resolve disputes related to active membership. He alleged that in some districts, the process of renewing active memberships had been deliberately obstructed to disrupt preparations for the party’s 15th General Convention.

He emphasized that where disputes persist, central intervention is necessary, while organizational work should continue unhindered in districts where issues have already been resolved.

Additionally, Thapa said he had suggested taking action against districts that intentionally create disputes and obstruct the convention schedule, including the possibility of barring them from participating in the general convention.

He clarified that while adjustments can be made to the agendas of ward and regional conventions if necessary, the agenda of the central general convention will remain unchanged.