Sher Bahadur Deuba, who built a powerful faction before becoming president of the Nepali Congress at its 14th general convention, is facing a growing loss of support within his own camp as the party moves towards its next convention.

More than 30 leaders who had been aligned with Deuba are moving towards the central working committee led by party president Gagan Thapa after the party agreed to accommodate members of the central committee elected under Deuba’s leadership. The move follows months of internal disputes over the legitimacy and timing of the party’s 15th general convention.

Former vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka, who had been one of Deuba’s closest allies and led his faction for several months, has also distanced himself from Deuba. He stopped attending meetings of the Deuba faction earlier this month and has moved closer to the Thapa-led establishment.

Other prominent figures who have moved away from Deuba include former office-bearers Mahalakshmi Upadhyaya, Surendra Raj Pandey, Indra Bahadur Baniya, Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, Shyam Ghimire, Min Bahadur Bishwakarma and Ram Hari Khatiwada, among others.

Ghimire said around 40 former members of the central committee could eventually join the Thapa-led party structure.

The shift followed a decision by the Thapa-led central working committee on Sunday to allow all members elected at the 14th general convention who were left out after the special general convention to return to the central committee, provided they participate in the convention process. The party has also recognised active memberships renewed before the special convention.

Deuba’s faction, however, rejected the decision, arguing that the special general convention that elected Thapa was not legitimate. At a meeting at Deuba’s residence on Monday, the faction decided not to participate in the convention being organised by the Thapa-led leadership and said it would proceed with its own convention schedule.

The Thapa-led Congress has scheduled the 15th general convention for October 2-5, with ward-level conventions beginning on September 19. The Deuba faction has announced a separate process, with its central convention scheduled for December 7-9.

The dispute has its roots in the special general convention held in January by leaders including Thapa and General Secretary Bishwaprakash Sharma. The Election Commission recognised the leadership elected by that convention, while Deuba’s faction challenged the process. The Supreme Court in April recognised Thapa’s leadership, and in August allowed Deuba and Khadka to seek a review of that ruling. The original decision, however, has not been suspended, and the convention process has continued.

Khadka’s departure from Deuba’s camp has been particularly significant. He had led the faction’s negotiations over demands aimed at resolving the dispute and had opposed turning a three-day national gathering organised by the Deuba faction in August into a parallel convention, warning that it could deepen the party’s division.

Khadka subsequently moved towards the Thapa-led party after the latter agreed to address demands including the reinstatement of active memberships and the accommodation of members elected at the 14th general convention.

Deepak Kuikel, a leader aligned with Deuba, said the internal divisions should be viewed in the broader context of the crisis facing the party.

“When the whole house has collapsed and turned to ashes, there is little point in arguing over which room is bigger,” he said, adding that a reconciliation within the party remained possible.

“Nothing is impossible in politics, but we are now preparing for the general convention,” Kuikel said.

Another former Deuba ally, Min Bishwakarma, said a compromise could still be reached by giving Deuba a prominent role at the opening of the general convention and recognising senior leaders from different factions. He said dialogue should continue.

The realignment has also affected the faction led by Shekhar Koirala. Koirala has decided to remain neutral in the convention process, although some leaders associated with him have been moving towards the Thapa-led party.

Former vice president Dhanraj Gurung and former central members including Deepak Giri, Krishnachandra Nepali, Kiran Yadav, Chandramohan Yadav, Rukmani Koirala and Tek Prasad Gurung are among those expected to move towards the party headquarters in Sanepa.

Former general secretary Minendra Rijal has argued that leaders who support party unity should not remain neutral and has been urging them to participate in the convention process.

The realignment marks another shift in a prolonged power struggle within Nepal’s main opposition party. Deuba’s faction continues to reject the legitimacy of the Thapa-led leadership and is preparing for a parallel convention, while Thapa’s side is pressing ahead with its October convention and seeking to bring former central committee members back into the party structure.