The dissident faction of the Nepali Congress (NC) has appointed former general secretary Shashank Koirala as the coordinator of the main organising committee for its national gathering scheduled for August 14.

Sources close to the faction said that if efforts to restore party unity fail before the gathering, preparations are in place to register a new political party under the leadership of Koirala, the son of the late NC founder BP Koirala.

At a press conference held at the faction’s contact office in Chundevi on Saturday, the dissident group announced the formation of a 521-member main organising committee headed by Koirala.

The faction has also formed 16 sub-committees, including those responsible for political documents, contemporary political issues, organisational preparations, statute amendment drafting, economic policy and publicity.

“We have announced this national gathering to give the party a new direction. If there is no positive change or agreement by then, we will move forward in a new form,” leader Min Bishwakarma told Kantipur. “If the gathering rejects the proposal for unity, we will take an alternative path. Otherwise, Shashank Koirala will remain our leader.”

Former senior NC office-bearers and leaders, including former general secretaries Shashank Koirala, Bimalendra Nidhi, Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Sitaula, attended the press conference.

Koirala said leader Shekhar Koirala also supports the initiative.

“I have been in continuous discussions with Shekhar Dai. He was supposed to attend today’s press conference, but could not because he is in Biratnagar. He asked me to convey to the media that he extends his full support,” Shashank said.

According to a leader from the non-establishment faction, preparations for launching a new political party have accelerated as efforts to reach an agreement with the party leadership have failed to produce results.

The leader said that unless the establishment faction, led by NC president Gagan Thapa, shows sufficient flexibility on unification, the formation of a new party is increasingly likely.

“Representatives and cadres from across the country will attend the national gathering. If we fail to reach a consensus, a new party will be announced there,” the leader said. “Work on the party’s ideology, vision, organisational structure and draft statute is in its final stage.”