NC dissident faction leaders stress unity to strengthen democracy

KATHMANDU: Leaders from the dissident faction of the Nepali Congress (NC) have stressed the need for unity within the party to strengthen democracy.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the three-day national gathering that began on Friday, they said the NC must remain united to address the crises facing the country and challenges to national sovereignty.

Speaking at the gathering, former Joint General Secretary Prakash Sharan Mahat said the party’s special general convention, held instead of the regular general convention, was similar to the Gen Z movement in the country, adding that the election results were unexpected.

Stating that the Supreme Court reviews its past verdicts only under extraordinary circumstances, he expressed hope that the court would deliver justice to the party as a whole.

Party leader and former minister NP Saud said the party had landed in trouble because a special general convention was hastily organized due to the ambitions of an individual.

Similarly, former Joint General Secretary Mahalakshmi Upadhyay said the party could not move forward if it failed to recognize the contributions and struggles of senior leaders.

Former home minister and party leader Ramesh Lekhak said the party had faced problems because it panicked and held the special general convention ahead of schedule even after the process for the 15th general convention had already begun.

Former minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet said the party should embrace the advice and suggestions of mature leaders to make it stronger and more capable.

Leaders including Purna Man Tamang, Umakanta Chaudhary, Bhimsen Das Pradhan, Durlabh Thapa, Rajesh Yadav, Mekh Raj Shrestha, Gehendra Giri, Shiva Prasad Humagain, Uma Bhattarai, Guru Baral, Sita Rana, Padma Narayan Chaudhary, Deepak Khadka, Sarita Prasai, Rewati Bhusal, Raju Shrestha, Ganesh Timilsina and Jagat Baram said everyone in the party should be united to hold the 15th general convention.

According to Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, publicity committee coordinator of the dissident faction, closed-door sessions of the gathering will be held on Saturday and Sunday.