Kathmandu: Nepali Congress General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma have formally called for a special general convention of the party, citing the need to revive the organization in line with its statute and changing political circumstances.

After repeated internal efforts failed to yield consensus, the two general secretaries issued a joint statement on Wednesday announcing the decision. Prior to this, General Secretary Thapa had held consultations with legal experts and intellectuals, all of whom advised against retreating from the demand.

Despite the move, the party’s establishment faction has not agreed, arguing that the need for a special general convention no longer exists after the announcement of the regular general convention. However, Thapa and Sharma maintain that a special central general convention is mandatory to strengthen the party while strictly adhering to the statute.

In their statement, they said that with the signatures of 2,488 general convention representatives—representing 54.58 percent—it has become “indispensable” to take a special decision under Article 17(2) of the party statute to call a special general convention in order to align party policy with public sentiment amid a changing political environment.

They stressed that it is the responsibility of the party center to convene a special general convention within three months of receiving a formal demand. According to the statement, efforts were made to have the Central Working Committee itself call the convention, but this proved impossible.

The general secretaries further stated that the party statute does not allow for a situation in which a duly demanded special general convention can be ignored or declared unjustified. They asserted that the special general convention scheduled for Poush 27 and 28 has therefore become legally and politically inevitable and binding.

Questioning the party leadership, the statement said that failing to convene a constitutionally binding special general convention and not acting in accordance with the statute amounts to a violation of party rules and the law governing political parties. They emphasized that fulfilling this responsibility is both a legal and moral obligation of the party leadership.

Calling on all party members and representatives, Thapa and Sharma urged participation in the special general convention scheduled to be held at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, on Poush 27 and 28, 2082.

“The special general convention is for a changing Congress and a country in need of change,” the statement read. “We are determined to infuse new energy into the party and remain committed to keeping it united, no matter how difficult the circumstances.”