While just three weeks left for its general convention, the Nepal Student Union is yet to finalise the representatives for the convention owing to the factional dispute.

Despite several attempts, the Nepal Congress sister wing has not been able to hold the convention in around a dozen districts and several public colleges which is a must for the selection of representative. The union has yet to hold convention in 11 districts, including Rupandehi, Rautahat, Kaski, Dhanusha, Bara, Parsa, Surkhet, while the dispute has also lingered the convention of various colleges, including Ratna Rajya, Mahendra Ratna, Public Youth. The three-day jaboree is set to start on August 7 in the Capital.

The long-festering dispute over the selection of representatives has already postponed the convention for six times. But the biennial gathering, which has not taken place since 2005, is likely to be held this time as NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba himself has directed NSU Chair Ranjeet Karna to hold the convention at any cost.

According to NSU leaders, the party is preparing to divide the representatives based on the strength of three factions within the party if the district and campus conventions are not held on time. “We are very much hopeful that the convention will not be postponed yet again,” said Nain Singh Mahar, former vice-chairman of the union.

Currently, Mahar and Jit Jung Banset from the Deuba faction, Manoj Mani Acharya and Bhupendra Jung Shahi from the Ram Chandra Poudel camp, and Kundan Kafle who is close to Gagan Thapa, are seen as strong contenders for the top position. Some 2,500 representatives will elect the 161-member CWC.