Kathmandu: Nepali Congress (NC) influential young leader Gururaj Ghimire has said that a special general convention has become inevitable and unavoidable as the party leadership has repeatedly ignored the sentiments and demands of party cadres.

In a public statement posted on social media, Ghimire accused the party leadership of acting in a dictatorial manner by sidelining, mistreating and openly violating the party statute against members who have demanded a special general convention.

“The tendency to not implement even the minimum published schedule of the general convention, to arbitrarily postpone timelines, and to fail to inform party members in advance is not only undemocratic but also dictatorial,” Ghimire stated.

Recalling that the Nepali Congress had ended authoritarian rule 75 years ago, he said practices resembling authoritarianism were now being witnessed within the party itself. He criticized what he described as a mindset that treats long-serving cadres as “subjects” and runs the party like a private estate, calling such behavior unacceptable.

Warning the leadership against ignoring the demand for a special general convention, Ghimire said the party leadership would bear full responsibility for any political consequences arising from forced decisions in the future. He urged the leadership to positively address the demand in order to unite the party amid the current challenging political environment.

Quoting a Sanskrit verse, Ghimire added that those who abandon rules and regulations and act arbitrarily cannot achieve success, happiness or a higher goal.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress central member Arjun Narsingh KC has also strongly advocated for holding a special general convention, stating that the party must go to the people with new leadership and programmes ahead of the Falgun elections.

In a social media post, KC warned that maintaining the status quo would be “accidental and suicidal” for the party. He said the country is undergoing a complex political transition and that a special general convention is a clear demand of the time to address preparations for the upcoming elections, the public mood following anti-corruption and good governance movements, and growing dissatisfaction among youth and the general public.

“It is imperative to approach the people with new thinking, policies, leadership and programmes before the elections. Remaining in the status quo would be an accident and suicidal,” KC wrote.

KC said a special general convention is mandatory under the party statute to re-establish the Nepali Congress as a credible, timely and strong democratic force. Calling for unity, he urged party members to participate collectively in the special convention to build a stronger and more energetic party through consensus rather than division.

Citing provisions of the party statute, KC noted that Article 17(2) mandates the convening of a special general convention within three months if the Central Working Committee deems it necessary or if at least 40 percent of general convention representatives submit a written request. He also referred to other statutory articles outlining the responsibilities of the Central Working Committee, Central Office and the General Secretary.

Emphasizing that the rule of law is the foundation of democracy, KC said all party decisions and activities must strictly adhere to statutes, regulations and established procedures. He stressed the need to institutionalize regular conventions, meetings, reviews and self-evaluation mechanisms, and to strengthen internal democracy through transparency, accountability and impartiality, particularly in matters such as finances, appointments and ticket distribution.

In the current political context, KC said, the party’s statute itself provides clear guidance on the necessity and process of holding a special general convention, despite what he described as growing attempts to misinterpret its provisions.