Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) is set to slightly alter the 15th General Convention schedule in an effort to reach a consensus, party leaders say.
A meeting of the party’s Central Work Execution Committee held on Sunday decided to postpone the ward convention scheduled to begin on September 10 to resolve internal party disputes, Bajrang Nepali, a Central Working Committee member, said.
As per the NC’s general convention timeline, ward-level conventions will be held on September 10, municipal conventions on September 13, and the central general convention from October 2 to October 5.
Sources say the party’s establishment faction is also working to secure the participation of former Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka and leader Shekhar Koirala in the general convention. Both Khadka and Koirala, who had recently been attending events organized by the dissident faction led by former President Sher Bahadur Deuba, are now preparing to participate in the establishment faction’s general convention, leaders say.
Leaders said the minor schedule adjustments are aimed at accommodating the two leaders. Party President Gagan Kumar Thapa has held separate meetings with Khadka and Koirala over the past few days to build consensus.
During a meeting with Khadka on Saturday, Khadka urged Thapa to remove a requirement mandating active membership updates to participate in the general convention. Thapa responded positively to the proposal, sources say.
Khadka had previously called on party leaders and cadres not to update their active memberships.
The former party vice president, who has recently grown dissatisfied with Deuba, has drawn closer to the establishment faction. Sources say Khadka became aggrieved after Deuba appointed Shashank Koirala as coordinator of a rival convention organizing committee.
Thapa met with Shekhar Koirala on Sunday. Sources say the two held discussions on resolving internal party disputes and holding a unified convention. In the meeting, Koirala said the party has no option but to move forward united and expressed a willingness to make necessary sacrifices. Thapa also reiterated his commitment to party unity.
Leaders close to the establishment faction said talks to include Khadka and Koirala in the October convention are progressing positively. They, however, say formal dialogue with other leaders of the dissident faction has yet to begin.
“Discussions are moving forward to ensure both Khadka and Koirala participate in the 15th general convention scheduled for October 2-5,” a leader close to the establishment said. “While the talks are positive, other leaders from the rival faction do not seem as enthusiastic.”
The dissident faction has decided to hold the party’s 15th general convention in November.
With both the party establishment and the dissident faction publishing separate dates for the general convention, many leaders and cadres say the party appears headed for a split. However, Khadka and Shekhar Koirala, both of whom say that they are against a split, are getting closer to the party establishment in recent days.
