The Nepali Congress faction led by its former president Sher Bahadur Deuba has intensified preparations for a parallel 15th general convention, challenging the legitimacy of the party leadership under Gagan Thapa.

The faction says it has completed conventions in 618 local units and 26 districts, urging party leaders and cadres across the country to participate in the convention process. It has scheduled provincial conventions for November 20 and the central general convention for December 7-9.

During a press conference at its liaison office in Chundevi, Kathmandu, on Tuesday, the faction announced its preparations and provided an update on the conventions completed so far.

Senior leader Prakash Sharan Mahat said the faction had advanced the convention process across the country within a short period, with enthusiastic participation from party leaders and cadres.

According to Mahat, conventions have been completed in 228 provincial assembly constituencies and 114 federal parliamentary constituencies. District conventions are underway in 12 districts.

Conventions have yet to be held in 135 local units, 102 provincial assembly constituencies, 51 federal parliamentary constituencies and 39 districts, Mahat said.

Mahat said the campaign was characterised by voluntary participation, with members organising conventions using their own resources because they have not received financial or logistical support from the centre.

Mahat claimed the parallel convention represented those committed to the party's established procedures, democratic values and principles. He also said leaders and cadres who had participated in the special general convention held in January were joining the process initiated by the Deuba faction.

“We stand for due process and justice. Those who believe in the values and principles of the Nepali Congress are actively participating. Colleagues who attended the special convention have also joined our process, and more are continuing to do so,” he said.

Deuba is leading the parallel convention process, while senior leader Shashank Koirala is handling its day-to-day coordination, Mahat said.

Alongside its convention preparations, the Deuba faction has questioned the legitimacy of the central working committee led by Thapa. Mahat maintained that Deuba, who was elected party president at the 14th general convention, remained the legitimate president and that his faction represented the mainstream Nepali Congress.

Mahat argued that removing a party president required a two-thirds majority through a special general convention convened by the central working committee.

He also criticised the Election Commission's decision to recognise the leadership elected at the January special general convention, calling it unusual. The Deuba faction has challenged the decision in court.

Mahat claimed the Supreme Court had permitted a review of the matter after finding procedural flaws and expressed confidence that the review would ultimately establish the legitimacy of the Deuba-led faction.

The Thapa-led faction has already held its own 15th general convention from October 4 to 8. The newly elected central office-bearers and members have submitted the required documents to the Election Commission to update the party's official records.

Referring to media reports alleging that Rs180 million had changed hands to secure official recognition for the leadership elected at the January special convention, Mahat called for a thorough investigation into the alleged transaction.

He also argued that the Thapa-led faction did not represent the Nepali Congress's core identity, either ideologically, legally or in its approach to party governance.

“Their Congress does not have the soul of the Nepali Congress. They are not on the right side ideologically, legally or in terms of how the party should be run. We are on the right side. The soul of the Congress is with us,” he said.