National Gathering of Discontented Faction of Congress: All Eyes on ‘Marginalized’ Deuba by Both Sides

However, leaders close to him are attempting to project him as a central power figure.

Leader Prakashsharan Mahat said that now, with the leadership that emerged from the 14th General Convention, the 15th General Convention could reunify Congress. Creating a organizing committee for the convention through reconciliation would be an ideal option.

“Among them are also supporters of the special convention, which will make the party capable of facing national challenges and bring new enthusiasm,” he said. “Sher Bahadur ji will not take leadership himself, so that is the best path for Congress’s major unity.”

Earlier, leaders of the opposing faction had suggested that acceptance of a special convention leadership could include leaders from the 14th General Convention into an organizing committee.

But after the Supreme Court’s decision to review Congress’s legitimacy cases, that chapter has concluded, according to Mahat.

How did enthusiasm develop among the opposing faction to bring Deuba back as a power center?

According to a leader who wished to remain anonymous, there are three reasons: the recent court order, public dissatisfaction with government activities, and the missed opportunity for both establishment and opposing sides to play a guardian role within the party.

“Therefore, there seems to be a sentiment that a capable and mature leader is necessary to lead the party and national politics,” he explained.

Leaders from the opposing faction speculated that although they began criticizing the court’s order sharply, the Congress meeting might have sought Deuba’s guardian role by observing his statements.

Deuba remarked that he has listened to both the “silent pain and the loud voices of the younger generation” and that the Congress has embraced the changes they seek.

“The world has changed; we must move with the times, and we accept that truth,” he urged the youth to move forward, adding, “I have nothing politically to claim, but my past experience must be taken by the country and the party, and it is my duty to share that experience with the new generation.”

Hence, the Congress meeting might be expecting Deuba’s guardian role “to institutionalize the legitimate changes brought by the special general convention and to build a timely and dynamic Congress.”

Govinda Pariyar states that Deuba will try for unity even before the court’s final verdict is delivered.

“Both sides must make sacrifices. If an organizing committee under Shashank Koirala’s leadership is formed, there appears to be a higher possibility of consensus,” he said. “If that happens, the party can deliver a message of unity before the court’s decision.”

Some leaders from the opposing faction say that the Congress has come to a point where a special general convention is inevitable following the court’s order.

The establishment faction insists that the legitimacy cannot be questioned and the general convention process will not be stopped until the final verdict is issued.

It appears that the opposing faction’s goal is to seek consensus without recognizing the special general convention’s legitimacy, which the establishment faction rejects politically.

Before the court’s order, Dr. Shekhar Koirala proposed forming an organizing committee led by senior leaders like Taranath Ranabhat or Kul Bahadur Gurung to politically recognize the special general convention. The establishment faction has reportedly not made any decision on that.

President Gagan Thapa is reportedly more flexible now about forming an organizing committee that includes leaders elected from the 14th General Convention.

General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire confirmed that President Thapa has held informal discussions on this matter.

Amidst these opposing stands, will the opposing faction be prepared to support Deuba as the head of the organizing committee?

Leader Mahat said, “The 15th General Convention under Deuba’s leadership would be natural and normal. Which options will emerge and how to include them will be discussed tomorrow. There is no clear plan yet.”

Deuba has experience resolving disputes within Congress and has expressed his desire to transfer that experience to the younger generation.

Analyst Puranjan Acharya recalls that before the special general convention, while Congress remained indecisive, Deuba returned after treatment and the decision was taken to hold the convention before the elections.

Since Deuba shows interest in reconciliation, he believes, “Given his history and life, it seems his guardian role including the party will be significant.”

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