With the Election Commission setting January 19 as the nomination day for the March 5 elections, there is a rush among the parties to decide their first-past-the-post candidates. But Nepali Congress, the largest party in the dissolved House of Representatives, is in disarray, and distressed by last week’s split.

The poll commission’s recognition of Gagan Thapa’s leadership, chosen by the special general convention, has unsettled supporters of Sher Bahadur Deuba as the party chief. The election of a new central committee led by Thapa, on the other hand, has provided fresh momentum for the party.

With the Deuba camp threatening to move the court against the Election Commission’s decision, confusion continues to grip ordinary Congress cadres and supporters. The commission on Friday rejected claims by the side led by Deuba, who was elected president for a second term from the 14th general convention in 2021, to represent the party.

The Deuba Congress, claiming that the special general convention was illegitimate and against the party charter, is prepared to move the Supreme Court on Sunday.

The Deuba faction on Saturday held a meeting at the party headquarters in Sanepa and decided that the Election Commission’s latest move is contrary to Nepal’s constitution, prevailing laws, and precedents set by the Election Commission while resolving similar disputes related to political parties.

The decision also did not take notice of correspondence by the party, evidence submitted of decisions by the Nepali Congress under Deuba and the provisions of the Congress statute, the meeting observed.

This meeting concludes that the unilateral decision—made without examining the justification, legality, or even the number of participants of the gathering held under the so-called “special general convention”—had “a mala fide intent.” There is a clear intention to cause serious damage to the Nepali Congress by unlawfully altering the duly elected Central Working Committee of the country’s largest democratic party, a decision issued after the meeting read.

“It has been concluded that the Election Commission’s decision to grant official recognition to the Thapa-led central committee is a conspiracy to derail the democratic system in the country,” the faction’s statement added.

“Strongly opposing the malicious decision of the Election Commission, this meeting decides to pursue constitutional and legal remedies while putting up political resistance to it,” the Deuba group said.

The meeting also authorised the faction’s acting president, Purna Bahadur Khadka, to file cases and pursue other legal actions in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s decision.

As part of its decision to wage nationwide protests against the recognition of the Gagan Thapa-led committee, the Deuba side on Sunday will demonstrate in Kathmandu and several other parts of the country. The sister organisations of the Nepali Congress aligned with Deuba will protest in Maitighar.

The poll body’s decision created confusion especially among several leaders close to Deuba and Shekhar Koirala sitting on the fence since the party’s two erstwhile general secretaries—Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma—organised the special general convention. Many of them have started changing their camp now.

Many central and district level leaders, who were earlier close to Deuba, are approaching Thapa and other new office bearers, pledging their support. Many share that they now realise that Thapa is the undisputed Congress leader. According to an office bearer, many of them are also seeking the party’s ticket to contest the general election scheduled for March 5.

Prominent Congress leaders such as Sujata Koirala, Sunil Sharma and Ramhari Khatiwada are of the view that they have no choice but to accept the Election Commission’s decision.

The Shekhar Koirala-led camp, known as the “third camp” in the party, failed to take a concrete decision during its separate meeting on Saturday but will stay away from the street protests announced by Deuba supporters.

“We oppose the decision taken by the commission but will not move the court,” said a leader close to Koirala. “We will wait for what the court will say.”

The Koirala faction says it will hold talks and negotiations seeking to reunite all Congress sides. The Koirala faction also decided not to participate in any meeting called by the Deuba camp henceforth; it will contest the upcoming election from the mainstream Congress led by Thapa.

In the 14th general convention held four years ago, Koirala and Thapa contested from the same faction as party president and general secretary, respectively. Koirala lost the election to Deuba but Thapa won.

The Nepali Congress led by Thapa that received legitimacy from the commission on Friday has started making swift decisions. It held a meeting of the newly formed central committee on Saturday and made some decisions related to the March elections as well as the party organisation. In order to decide the party’s candidates for the House of Representatives election, it decided to form a 13-member parliamentary board headed by Thapa with all office bearers of the party as members.

“This is not a victory or defeat for any individual—it is a victory of the statute and of democracy. For this historic change, this meeting of the Central Committee expresses heartfelt gratitude to every member, well-wisher, and supporter who stood with us,” the Congress party said in a statement. This is a time for unity, harmony, and cooperation, the new leadership stressed.

“All Congress members at home and abroad, committees at all levels, and friends from all sister and well-wisher organisations are warmly called upon to participate strongly in the March 5 election with renewed vigour, unwavering confidence, and complete unity,” said the party.

“This meeting cordially invites all friends who have remained inactive in the party for various reasons, and those who left the party for different reasons, to rejoin the party. At this time, we express sincere thanks and high appreciation for the long-standing contributions made to the leadership of the Nepali Congress by former president Deuba and other leaders. This meeting believes that the revered leader will continue to play a guardian-like role,” said the statement issued by spokesperson Devraj Chalise.

The party also decided not to form any electoral alliance. “There will no longer be any unnatural alliances or power-centric agreements,” reads the statement. The party will remain steadfast in its values and principles, it added.

“We will protect the constitution and lead the nation towards prosperity. We will fulfil the aspirations of the youth and meet the expectations of the people. This is a new chapter—of transformation, unity, and victory.”