The Nepali Congress has officially decided to participate in the elections scheduled for March 5. This is in sharp contrast to its coalition partner until September and the second largest party in the dissolved House of Representatives—the CPN-UML—is rooting for the House’s restoration.

The country’s biggest and oldest party, however, remains divided over whether to hold a regular general convention or a special one, in view of the sweeping political changes brought about by the September Gen Z revolt.

After a month-long central working committee meeting, the Congress on Saturday took an official decision to participate in the elections. “We firmly believe that only through elections can we safeguard the Constitution, institutionalise the voices for change raised during the Gen-Z movement and move the country forward,” reads the party’s decision shared after the meeting.

Though some Congress lawmakers had put together signatures to call for the restoration of the House dissolved by President Ramchandra Paudel on interim Prime Minister Suhsila Karki’s recommendation on September 12, the party’s official decision is expected to put pressure on the UML to participate in the March elections.

As of Saturday, the UML has clearly distanced itself from taking part in the elections and asserted that its protests will continue until the House is restored.

“We will continue to show our strength until the House is reinstated,” UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli said at a mass meeting in Kathmandu on Saturday. “We will hold even larger and more powerful gatherings in the days to come until the House of Representatives is reinstated. This demand is not just for the sake of making a demand; it is a demand that must be fulfilled.”

On the other hand, the Congress has also decided to register itself with the Election Commission for the purpose of the National Assembly election to be held on January 25 next year, as well as the subsequent House elections.

For this purpose, Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel of the Congress Central Office is entrusted with completing all processes required by the law, including party registration at the Election Commission, the Congress stated.

The Congress has also spelt out some conditions for holding free, fair and safe elections.

An environment free of fear is indispensable for the elections, said the Congress. However, the current situation, where thousands of prisoners who fled jails in September remain at large, hundreds of weapons have been missing, and political parties are unable to campaign freely, is extremely serious.

The Congress strongly urges the government to immediately improve peace and security, boost the morale of security personnel, and ensure a peaceful atmosphere for the general public, the party said in its appeal.

Over a month, the Congress central committee meeting discussed various aspects of Nepali politics in the wake of the September 8–9 Gen Z uprising.

“On September 9, there was unimaginable destruction and anarchy in the country, and amidst that crisis, the issue of rescuing the nation and protecting the constitution became vital. In the absence of a functioning government and in order to address the demands of the protesting Gen Z youths and to maintain peace and security, the President had to appoint an interim prime minister from outside the Parliament. Nevertheless, the clear position of the Nepali Congress was that a solution could have been sought from within Parliament as envisioned by the constitution,” reads the Congress decision.

The party also recalled its September 19 decision that the dissolution of Parliament was against the spirit of the constitution and contrary to the court’s view.

“The dissolution of Parliament is unconstitutional. This step has put democratic achievements at risk. The Congress firmly believes that a solution is possible within the constitutional framework… As the issue is sub judice in the Supreme Court, the Nepali Congress believes the final interpretation will come from the court.”

The party has also expressed concerns about some of the anarchic activities happening across the country in the name of different groups.

The Congress expresses its deep concern over the law and order situation and the increasingly provocative and anarchic activities happening in recent days, reads the party’s official decision. In such a sensitive situation, it is unacceptable for any political party, group, or side to incite violence on any pretext, disrupt social harmony, or spread provocation or hate.

The party also expressed concerns over some of the recent activities targeted against the political parties and their activities. Only this week, due to clashes between UML cadres and Gen Z activists, the party’s scheduled event was obstructed and UML leaders were unable to fly to Bara due to the obstruction created by the protesting youths.

In a democratic system governed by law, arbitrarily banning anyone, or attempting to restrict peaceful demonstrations and freedom of expression cannot be considered natural or acceptable, said the Congress. Such actions are contrary to the fundamental values of the constitution and increase the risk of further polarisation and violence in society.

“Therefore, at this time, restraint—not provocation; dialogue—not prohibition; trust—not mistrust—is necessary. The Nepali Congress calls on all concerned parties not to adopt the path of violence or provocation, to avoid the politics of prohibition, and to seek solutions through dialogue with patience and responsibility.”

The party also stated that in such a situation a multi-party national dialogue is essential to address the voices raised by the Gen Z movement for change.

The Congress appealed to the parties represented in the dissolved House, parties emerging after the demonstrations, the Gen Z-ers, civil society, intellectuals, business community, media persons, and other stakeholders to engage in dialogue and build a shared national understanding. The party has pledged to take an initiative towards that end.

The ongoing central working committee meeting of the party has failed to decide whether the Congress will hold its 15th general convention or a special one due to differences between the two party factions.

Fifty-percent of the elected representatives to the general convention have demanded a special convention as the term and mandate of all elected bodies expire in mid-December.

A group of leaders close to party chief Sher Bahadur Deuba are in favour of holding the convention only after the elections, possibly by April while and the rival faction led by general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Shekhar Koirala want a special or regular convention to be held by the end of December.

There is further division within the Deuba faction. As many as 25 central committee members loyal to Deuba are in favour of holding a convention ahead of the elections.

Will hold special convention: Thapa

General Secretary Thapa, who has been vocal for a leadership change in the party particularly after the Gen Z revolt, said that a special convention has become inevitable.

Speaking to journalists at the party office on Saturday, Thapa said that although he had presented a proposal with a timetable for a regular general convention, central leaders said it was not possible, making a special convention the only viable option.

Spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said that the party was trying to reach a unanimous decision on the convention. The next meeting on November 27 will discuss and settle the issue over general convention or special convention.

Congress President Deuba, who recently returned from Singapore following medical treatment, has expedited talks with different party groups on finding a common ground on the convention.

Though he is against holding a party convention by the end of December, some leaders close to him advise him to defer it till after the March elections, said a leader close to Thapa.

Mahat said that by addressing the sentiments of those demanding a special convention, a timetable for a regular convention would be proposed.