Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) is preparing to increase the number of its office-bearers to 22.
The party currently has 17 office-bearers—one president, two vice presidents, two general secretaries, 11 joint general secretaries and one treasurer. The party now plans to add one senior vice president, two vice presidents and two joint general secretaries.
The party will now have one president, one senior vice president, four vice presidents, two general secretaries, 13 joint general secretaries and one treasurer. Of these positions, three joint general secretaries and one treasurer will be nominated by the Central Working Committee.
Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Prakash Snehi Rasaili said an understanding had been reached to add one senior vice president, two vice presidents and three joint general secretaries. The president, senior vice president and four vice presidents will be elected. Of the four vice presidents, two will be women and two men.
Both general secretaries will be elected, while eight of the 11 joint general secretaries will be elected. One joint general secretary each will be elected from the women, Madhesi, indigenous nationalities, Muslim, Khas Arya, Tharu, Dalit and backward-region clusters.
Party leaders say the number of office-bearers is being increased in response to the growing number of aspirants. They also said the decision was taken to accommodate leaders coming from the rival faction.
According to Rasaili, elections would be held for 19 office-bearer positions at the 15th General Convention.
Meanwhile, the rival faction of the NC, led by former President Sher Bahadur Deuba, is holding a parallel general convention on December 7-9.
