Leaders and supporters of the two groups of the Nepali Congress came face-to-face outside the Election Commission office in Kantipath, Kathmandu, on Friday.

Supporters loyal to the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Congress staged protests outside the office, blocking the road, while Thapa group members had been staging a sit-in inside the premises since earlier in the day. Cadres from the party’s central office in Sanepa joined the protests outside.

The Thapa group has demanded official recognition for the committee elected in the recent special general convention, while Deuba’s group, citing that no such convention was held, maintains it represents the official party.

Both groups have submitted updated documents to the commission and met its officials earlier in the day.

Here are some photos taken by the Post’s photojournalist Deepak KC.