KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC), the nation’s oldest political party with a long history defined by bitter splits, is once again on the brink of a split. Even as the country reels from the unbearable tragedy of severe flooding, party leaders are deeply absorbed in the cold arithmetic of factionalism and political polarization.
The crisis has escalated as the establishment faction led by President Gagan Kumar Thapa and the dissident faction loyal to former President Sher Bahadur Deuba published competing schedules for the party’s 15th General Convention. The establishment faction has announced to hold the convention on October 2-5, while the dissident faction unveiled its own schedule to host the convention in Kathmandu on December 7-9.
If neither side retreats from these opposing stances, the party is certain to split. However, many leaders are refusing to abandon hope for reconciliation. Drawing on historical precedent where the party stood on the edge of collapse only to reunite at the final moment, several leaders insist that compromise is still possible.
Dissident faction leader Ram Hari Khatiwada called on senior leaders to exercise sacrifice to keep the party united. “Democracy will weaken if the NC weakens. Therefore the party must remain united,” he added.
Although Khatiwada said he is for party unity, he has been participating in activities of the dissident faction.
Lack of communication at the highest level
Although second-tier leaders are active in dialogue, senior leaders are entirely out of touch.
“Thapa and Deuba are leading the two factions right now. The party won’t remain united until these leaders hold dialogue,” a dissident faction leader said. “But they have not held talks for months.”
A few days ago, Thapa said he had wanted to meet Deuba but did not get the opportunity. Leaders close to him said Thapa still wants to meet Deuba. They say Deuba is unwilling to meet Thapa.
Khatiwada, however, claims that Deuba will meet Gagan immediately if he really wishes.
Other Deuba faction leaders say that Deuba is unwilling to meet Thapa immediately. They say Deuba feels it would be better to talk after the Supreme Court decides on the case related to party leadership.
A few days ago, dissident faction leader Nain Singh Mahar had told Himal Press that Deuba wants to meet Thapa only after the apex court delivers its verdict.
Of late, dissident faction leaders like former Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka and leader Shekhar Koirala are taking a stance that the party must not split. But their efforts alone cannot avert a split, some leaders say.
Joint General Secretary Dila Sangroula said the party decided to go for an early general convention to preserve party unity. “The incumbent leadership is the legitimate one. It has announced a schedule for the 15th General Convention,” she said. “Schedules announced by other individuals or groups won’t mean anything.”
Sangrola argued that Thapa is making all possible efforts for party unity. Dissident faction leaders, however, say that the establishment faction is not making sufficient efforts.
“The party is heading for the splits due to a lack of necessary coordination by the party leadership,” one dissident faction leader said. “Leaders who fought for democracy are outside the leadership. They have a large number of cadres behind them. What alternative has the party establishment left for them?”
Will Shekhar’s efforts work?
Amid the mounting standoff, leader Shekhar Koirala is making efforts for mediation.
On Tuesday, he invited party leaders for a meeting at his liaison office in Bishalnagar.
Leaders like Kiran Poudel, Padam Narayan Chaudhary, Nain Singh Mahar, Kiran Yadav, Rangamati Shahi, Ganesh Lama, Ambika Basnet, Dilendra Badu, Umesh Jung Rayamajhi, Pushpa Parajuli, Ram Krishna Chitrakar, Bhupendra Jung Shahi, Tilak Ruwali, Binod Kayastha and Hari Adhikari attended the meeting. Other participants included Bishwa Aryal, Hurmat Neupane, Gita Sendang, Dr Chandra Mohan Yadav, Rekha Yadav, Rukmini Koirala, Rina Upreti, Basu Dev Jangali, Gita Devkota, Bishnu Sapkota and Ranjit Karna, among others.
Leaders nominated to the Central Working Committee by President Thapa, like Sujata Koirala, Jeevan Pariyar, Dr Govinda Raj Pokharel and Dinesh Koirala, also attended the meeting.
“Some forces are trying to weaken the party to weaken democracy. But Shekhar Koirala is making all possible efforts to preserve unity,” leader Shahi said.
Shekhar had met with Deuba a few days ago. Likewise, he has been in regular touch with Shashank Koirala, named by Deuba as the coordinator of his faction’s convention preparation committee.
