Nepali Congress: What Are the Chances of Deuba Faction Aligning with the Thapa-led Establishment?
Image Source, Nepal Photo Library
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has stated that efforts will continue until the day of the party’s general convention to reintegrate the dissatisfied faction led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, who organized a parallel convention.
The delegate selection process for the general convention, scheduled to begin on October 2 (Asoj 16), is set to start on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Deuba-supported group, which has operated separately for nine months, held its own convention in December (Mangsir).
Some leaders from Deuba’s faction have already returned to the party. On Thursday, President Thapa expressed his commitment to continue efforts to bring Deuba back into the party by the convention.
“I will keep trying until the 2nd of October. Let’s all work together. Even on the morning of the convention’s inauguration day, we will try to bring elder brother Sher Bahadur to the event. Other leaders should also make efforts. We must try to unite everyone,” Thapa said.
However, are Deuba’s faction leaders willing to reconcile with Thapa’s leadership and send Deuba to the general convention? What are the conditions and demands that the dissatisfied group of the Nepali Congress has listed alongside calls for unity? We sought answers from the leaders.
Although some Deuba faction leaders, who have worked separately since the special convention, attended Thursday’s central committee meeting, a few influential leaders remain separate under the Thapa group, which is recognized by the Election Commission.
One of these moderate leaders, Shekhar Koirala, has appealed that both sides halt the convention and seek an understanding for party unity. If the convention is postponed by Thapa’s faction, will Deuba’s leaders return to the Congress?
What Are the Conditions of the Deuba Faction?
Image Source, RSS
“We don’t have many major demands. The 15th convention must be fair, ensuring respect and participation for everyone,” said Deuba faction leader Prakash Sharan Mahat.
“There should be no last-minute appointments of everyone as central members. Let’s reach an agreement on what needs to be done to make the convention impartial. The timeframe for completion must be set before proceeding. Asking people to come to the convention today or tomorrow without any preparation is neither procedural nor respectful.”
President Thapa has indicated readiness to form an election committee with a mechanism that includes all factions for the general convention, as proposed by leader Shekhar Koirala.
“He [Shekhar Koirala] suggested that the mechanism be led by someone other than the president, and we have informed him that we trust this measure is for the party’s benefit,” Thapa said.
Leader Minendra Rijal says that leaders from the establishment side led by Gagan Thapa need to be active in dialogues to bring Deuba’s faction back.
“It is possible to reconcile through dialogue and negotiation, but one must keep all avenues open,” Rijal states.
Before the special convention, when the establishment under Thapa reopened the path for all central members to return to the central committee, several Deuba faction leaders participated in Thursday’s central committee meeting.
Among the three-sided faction leaders, Min Bahadur Bishwakarma also expressed willingness to help bring Deuba back into the party.
“Yesterday we pressed Gagan Thapa to unite the party by working closely with Sher Bahadur Deuba, Purna Bahadur Khadka and Shekhar Koirala. Now that President Thapa has fulfilled some demands, we will sit with him to pressure him to convince Deuba,” said Bishwakarma.
Why Did the Leaders Return to the Party?
Image Source, Nepal Photo Library
Earlier, Deuba faction leaders had submitted petitions to the Election Commission and Supreme Court requesting that the special convention selecting Thapa as president not be recognized. However, after the court refused to issue an interim order, and as Thapa’s leadership attempted to halt the 15th general convention, those leaders returned to the central committee and the party on Thursday by participating in the meeting.
Bishwakarma supports Deuba’s return to prevent party division.
“Considering the larger interests of the party and the continued success of the Nepali Congress, and for former presidents to continue playing dignified roles, it is essential that President Deuba plays his historical role as well,” said Bishwakarma.
“The demands and conditions they have set are not difficult. Thapa has accepted them in stages. The remaining potential concerns should also be addressed.”
Bishwakarma explained that after Thapa agreed to fulfill the eight-point conditions, the leaders returned to the party. Thapa also stated in Thursday’s central committee meeting that he is prepared to open the path for leaders who have not updated their active membership to become convention delegates.
Bishwakarma believes Thapa is willing to meet most of the conditions proposed by acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka and leader Shekhar Koirala, aside from postponing the convention.
“Unity cannot be one-sided. We must understand that not all demands will be met. We need to create an environment for consensus by discussing what is feasible and what isn’t at the table,” Bishwakarma said.
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