The newly elected central working committee of Nepali Congress has called on leaders and cadres who have become inactive or left the party for various reasons to rejoin, stressing that the current moment demands unity, harmony and cooperation.

Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise said that the party welcomed the decision made by the Election Commission and urged the party members not to regard the decision as anyone’s victory or defeat, rather a triumph of the party statute and democratic process.

“The meeting also appealed to all Congress leaders, cadres, committees at all levels, and sister and well-wisher organisations at home and abroad to participate strongly and in unity in the March 5 elections, calling it a decisive test for the party’s renewal,” Chalise said.

The central working committee’s decisions on Saturday come against the backdrop of an intense leadership dispute within the Congress after the Election Commission recognised the committee elected through the special general convention, led by Gagan Thapa. The commission’s decision deepened divisions between the Thapa-led faction and the establishment group led by former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, who has rejected the ruling and threatened legal and political challenges.

According to Chalise, the meeting expressed gratitude to all members, supporters and contributors who backed what it termed a “historic change”, reiterating that the commission’s validation was fully in line with the Constitution, existing laws and the party statute.

The committee also formally acknowledged the long-standing contribution of former president Deuba and other senior leaders to the party, expressing confidence that they would continue to play a guiding and guardian-like role during the transition.

The Congress spokesperson said that the party reaffirmed the political line and said it would not enter into what it called “unnatural alliances” or power-centric deals, pledging instead to remain firm on values and principles, protect the Constitution and lead the country towards prosperity. The party also committed to addressing the aspirations of the youth and the expectations of the broader public.