Mahat dismisses call for special convention

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has dismissed calls from dissident groups for a special convention, stating that the party will move forward through its regular general convention.

Speaking at a press meet in Kathmandu on Sunday, Mahat argued that demands for a special general convention were unjustified and said that the party would adhere to the established process. Mahat, who is close to party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, added that the party’s Central Working Committee meeting, scheduled for October 12, will take necessary decisions on the general convention and other pressing political issues.

Mahat said that given the country’s current difficulties, NC leaders and cadres should remain united. He also defended party president Deuba against recent criticism over his passport. “Accusations that Deuba made a new passport to leave the country are baseless. Every citizen has the right to make a passport. Spreading propaganda to portray him as a criminal is baseless,” Mahat said.

He also said that no one has the authority to prevent political parties from participating in elections and added that autocratic tendencies must not be allowed to succeed. He also called for an impartial investigation into incidents that occurred during the recent Gen Z protests.