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A recently revealed letter sent to the Nepali Congress central working committee by a faction outside of the establishment has created a new stir within the party.
The letter bears the signature of Dr. Shashank Koirala, convener of the organizing committee of the national assembly convened by the opposing faction. It has been sent to various party organs, including the Election Commission.
However, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire has stated that they have not formally received the letter. He confirmed no record of the letter arriving at the party office.
Dr. Koirala’s personal secretary, Bharat Tiwari, added that while the letter has been registered with the Election Commission, the Congress party office has not registered it.
“They reviewed the letter but refused to register it,” Tiwari explained. “However, it is officially registered at the Election Commission.”
The letter calls for the postponement of the 15th general convention.
General Secretary Ghimire responded by saying, “Until the constitutional bodies that recognize the special general convention make a different decision, no program will be halted.”
Efforts to Turn Court Order into an Opportunity?
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The establishment faction remains determined to hold the general convention. Leaders insist that efforts to reach consensus continue and will persist.
President Gagan Thapa’s Tuesday meeting with Dr. Shekhar Koirala has been seen as a step towards consensus.
Sources close to the matter indicate that while Dr. Shashank leads the opposing faction, Dr. Shekhar plays the role of a moderate leader.
Dr. Shekhar’s personal secretary, Dinesh Thapaliya, said that despite the party’s legal disputes reaching the court, both factions are hopeful for a resolution through unity.
According to him, Dr. Koirala has taken on the responsibility to reconcile the party and had already urged President Gagan Thapa to bring both sides together before the court’s decision.
“If the court endorses one faction, forcing the other out of the party, it would affect the country and democracy,” Thapaliya quoted Dr. Koirala, “Before the court’s order, we should sit together and reconcile. The court’s decision is an opportunity for us.”
General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire also believes the possibility of unity remains even after the court’s latest ruling.
“All party leaders should view this as a chance to come together,” he said, “We will use these developments as an opportunity to unite and successfully hold the general convention.”
Gagan Thapa Demonstrates Flexibility?
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The disgruntled faction has been demanding an organizing committee to ensure a fair convention.
However, the establishment faction has rejected this, citing there has been no such precedent within the Congress.
According to General Secretary Ghimire, since the central committee traditionally acts as the organizing committee for the general convention, there was no prior consideration for forming a new organizing committee.
“Establishing a committee for the party convention is appropriate; if consensus is reached after discussions, all related matters will follow,” Ghimire said. “Even after the court’s new ruling, leaders continue to hold discussions. Both sides need to come together and accept any points of agreement.”
He added that President Thapa raised this issue during informal talks before Monday’s party meeting.
“No suggestions on this have been made in the central committee meeting so far,” he stated, “We will discuss this before concluding the meeting.”
The dissatisfied faction of Congress is preparing to hold a national assembly starting from August 14. Former President Sher Bahadur Deuba, currently abroad, is expected to return to Nepal and participate in the gathering.
Dr. Shekhar Koirala, regarded as a moderate leader, will also attend the assembly, according to his secretariat. His personal secretary, Dinesh Thapaliya, stressed that it is not a meeting to split the party, but rather a gathering where Dr. Shekhar will emphasize unity.
“He speaks in the role he holds and focuses on uniting the party,” Thapaliya said. “He believes the party can be reunited until the very last moment.”
Warning and Appeal to President Gagan Thapa?
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As efforts continue, the disgruntled faction appears increasingly assertive against the establishment.
The letter sent by Dr. Shashank Koirala is viewed in the same light.
It states that following the review decision, a serious legal and policy crisis has emerged, noting, “Until the court issues its final judgment on the case, questions about the legality of the previous structure and leadership remain.”
The letter urges an immediate suspension of all organizational, technical, or policy-related activities concerning the 15th general or special conventions.
It further states, “Until the court’s final decision arrives, any long-term policy, political, organizational, or financial resolutions from the party should be held in abeyance.”
The establishment faction is also cautioned not to defy the court.
The letter says, “A legal alert has been submitted to ensure that no activities are undertaken that might influence the court case’s final judgment. Otherwise, the concerned party will be held responsible for contempt of court or other legal complications.”
The letter addresses President Gagan Thapa as the incumbent General Secretary.
General Secretary Ghimire has described this as a “comment rejecting constitutionally established truth.”
