A day after 54 percent of elected Nepali Congress delegates to the general convention demanded a special general convention, the party’s central working committee began deliberating on whether to call a special convention or regular convention.

An intense debate has erupted within the party over the need for a total revamp in the wake of the Gen Z movement against rampant corruption and the status quo.

Although a majority of elected representatives have demanded a special convention, the party’s regular general convention is already due by mid-December as per the party charter. The terms of all elected party bodies expire in mid-December as they complete their four-year term as stipulated in the party charter.

During Thursday’s central working committee meeting, senior party leaders pledged to hold the general convention, even as most elected representatives have pressed for a special convention.

Speaking at the meeting, acting party president Purna Bahadur Khadka expressed the view that the party should proceed with a regular general convention rather than a special one.

Chairing the central working committee meeting for the first time on Thursday after party president Sher Bahadur Deuba named him acting president on Tuesday, Khadka said preparations should be made for the regular general convention to move the party forward in a unified manner. He, however, did not mention the date for the convention.

On Wednesday, a petition signed by around 54 percent of general convention representatives had been submitted to the party’s central office, demanding that a special convention be called if the regular general convention is not held by mid-December.

After Khadka, General Secretary Gagan Thapa also spoke in support of holding the regular general convention by mid-December.

Although there is broad consensus among all sides on holding a regular general convention, differences remain over the exact timing. A group including General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma has emphasised that the convention should be held by mid-December.

Thapa has taken a firm stance that the general convention should be conducted without extending the term of the current central working committee, which ends in mid-December. The last, 14th general convention of the Congress had begun in December 2021.

On the other hand, leaders from the establishment faction are suggesting postponing the convention to mid-May, citing the need for the party to make preparations for the March 5 national elections.

General Secretary Thapa, speaking in the meeting, said that the current central working committee will finalise the schedule for the regular general convention. He added that if the schedule for the regular convention is not introduced within the constitutional timeframe, then a special convention would become necessary.

“As per the party statute, signatures have been submitted demanding a special convention. This registered petition will be reviewed in accordance with the statute, and necessary procedures will be initiated,” Thapa said, adding, “But I believe that those who submitted the demand for a special convention mainly want the regular general convention to be held by mid-December. So, by the end of this meeting, we will likely reach a consensus to conduct the regular convention on schedule.”

Thapa further said that once the schedule for the regular general convention is announced, there will be mutual understanding that a special convention is no longer necessary.

Likewise, senior leader Shekhar Koirala also called for holding the regular general convention by mid-December. Speaking at the central working committee meeting, Koirala mentioned that people both within and outside the country are closely watching the next steps of the Nepali Congress.

He said, “Other political parties are already preparing to hold their conventions in Mangsir [mid-December], so why can't we?”

He emphasised that the 15th General Convention should be held by mid of December to steer the Congress towards a new direction and new possibilities. Koirala expressed confidence that General secretary Thapa would bring forth a schedule to conduct the convention by mid-December.

He also noted that the signature drive for a special convention has energised the party. “A sense of renewal in leadership and messaging is only possible through a regular general convention,” he added.

The meeting will continue on Friday to deliberate on various agendas including the general convention.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesman Prakash Sharan Mahat, a close ally of party president Deuba, said that a special general convention is not on the party's agenda. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, he said that the party is focused on moving forward with the regular general convention.

He said, "The issue of a special general convention was raised in the meeting. The general secretary and acting president also briefed the meeting about it. But a special convention is not on our agenda. We are moving forward with the regular general convention. The meeting will decide when it can be held." He also mentioned that no schedule proposal has been presented in the meeting so far.