Nepali Congress Dispute: Purna Bahadur Khadka Indicates No Clarification Will Be Given, Asserts ‘I Am the Acting President’
Photo Source, Nepal Photo Library
Nepli Congress leader Purna Bahadur Khadka has claimed to BBC Nepali that he remains the acting party president until the Supreme Court rules on the party’s official status dispute.
Responding to the Central Disciplinary Committee’s decision to seek clarification from him within seven days, Khadka described the move as “pointless.”
“I learned about it through the media. Requesting clarification from me is ridiculous and pointless,” he told BBC News Nepali.
Khadka responded to the Disciplinary Committee’s allegations that he used a “fake letterhead,” asserting that it was “official.”
“I heard the letterhead was fake, but it is not. It is an official letterhead. As acting president, the case I filed in the Supreme Court is pending. Until the Supreme Court issues a verdict, no one can strip me of the acting president status,” Khadka argued.
When asked if he would refuse to provide clarification, he said, “I have already answered you. After saying this much, where else would I give clarification? Asking for clarification is absurd and pointless.”
Asked what he would do if the party expelled him for not complying within seven days, he replied, “I have nothing more to say at the moment. We can discuss it another time.”
Reasons for Not Contesting the Election
He argued that the decision by the 14th General Convention-elected executive committee and the Election Commission’s ruling on its legitimacy were “contrary to Nepal’s constitutional arrangements.”
The Election Commission had granted recognition to the executive committee led by Gagan Thapa, elected at the special general convention.
“That is against existing law, contrary to the Political Parties Act, and violates Nepali Congress bylaws,” Khadka stated.
“Moreover, the Election Commission’s ruling contradicts its own precedent in various past party disputes. Therefore, the special convention is illegal,” he added.
“As acting president, I have filed a case in the Supreme Court asserting that all office bearers elected by that convention are illegitimate.”
“Because the special convention was unlawful, the committee elected by it is also illegitimate. It is politically unethical for office bearers elected by that committee to contest elections with certificates signed by them. Thus, I am not participating in the elections and will not contest,” Khadka explained.
Belief in a Swift Supreme Court Verdict
Photo Source, Gagan Thapa/Facebook
He expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will deliver a fair and timely judgment on the party’s official recognition case currently under consideration.
“As this concerns Nepal’s oldest democratic party, we believe the decision will be made with due seriousness,” he added.
Following the major political upheaval of the Gen Z movement on September 8-9, then-party president Sher Bahadur Deuba had appointed Khadka, who was then vice president, as acting president.
Subsequently, a special general convention held in Kathmandu under the leadership of then-secretaries Bishwprakash Sharma and Gagan Thapa elected a new executive committee.
Supporters of Deuba continue to consider that committee “illegitimate” and remain waiting for the Supreme Court’s ruling on the party’s official status, they say.
Details of Disciplinary Committee’s Decision
The Central Disciplinary Committee of the Nepali Congress reminded Khadka of a previous caution issued to him.
The committee noted that on March 28, Khadka had issued an “unauthorized” statement using a supposedly fake Nepali Congress letterhead, claiming responsibilities he did not hold within the party, which the committee deemed “wrong.”
“Despite repeated cautions by the Disciplinary Committee, Khadka again issued an unauthorized press release on March 16 using a fake Nepali Congress letterhead, mentioning responsibilities he does not possess,” the statement said, citing a violation of article 34, sub-section 8(g) of the 2017 party constitution (as amended), and decided to seek a written explanation within seven days.
The committee also extended the deadline for filing complaints related to disciplinary violations during last year’s House of Representatives election to mid-July 2026 from the original end of March 2026 deadline.
It further clarified that no action would be taken against complaints submitted after the original deadline but within the extended timeframe.
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