Kathmandu: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has claimed that the party’s special general convention will be held by the end of this month in accordance with the party statute.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee, Thapa said a decision would be made within the next two to three days on whether the special general convention would be convened by the Central Working Committee itself or called directly by the party center as provided in the statute.

He said he had expressed a differing view during Friday’s Central Working Committee meeting, stressing that a special general convention was mandatory since the regular general convention could not be held within the stipulated time.

“We will wait for a few more days. The party president and acting president have understood that the party statute cannot be violated,” Thapa said. “If, within a day or two, a Central Working Committee meeting is convened and a special general convention is called, that would be the best outcome for the party. That is also what we want.”

Thapa warned that if the party leadership failed to act in line with the statute, he would move ahead by invoking Article 17(2). “If responsible leaders do not follow the statute, I, as the general secretary, cannot remain silent. I will act as per the statute and ensure the special general convention is organized,” he said.

He further claimed that the special general convention of the Nepali Congress would be held in Kathmandu within this month and that clarity on who would formally call the convention would emerge within a couple of days. Thapa also urged general convention representatives from across the country to prepare to come to Kathmandu, saying formal invitations would be issued soon.

Earlier, Thapa had announced his candidacy for the party presidency, stating that the special general convention scheduled for mid-May would be decisive in shaping the future leadership, policies and direction of the Nepali Congress.