Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Central Work Execution Committee of the Nepali Congress (NC) has failed to resolve the dispute related to the party’s general convention.
Leaders say efforts to forge a consensus at the Committee’s meeting on Thursday evening failed after General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa refused to withdraw the proposal of the special convention.
Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka had requested Thapa to withdraw the proposal. However, Thapa rejected Khadka’s appeal.
Two NC general secretaries, Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, on Wednesday formally called the special convention of the party in Kathmandu for January 11 to 13.
A party office-bearer who attended the meeting said a majority of members supported Khadka’s request to withdraw the special convention proposal. Thapa, however, informed the meeting that the special convention would be held on the scheduled date under any circumstances. He argued that avoiding due process would be detrimental to the party, the office-bearer said.
Thapa said the special general convention would take place as per the schedule and that leaders, including party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, should participate in it.
“The Acting President insisted that a special convention is not necessary as a regular general convention has already been announced as per the party statute,” Thapa told journalists after the meeting. “I told him this is not in line with the statute and is a blatant misinterpretation of it.”
Thapa argued that the party statute makes it mandatory to hold a special convention once an application is signed by 40% of general convention delegates. He added that the proposal for a special convention would not be withdrawn.
He also said that he had urged party President Deuba to participate in the special convention and take ownership of it.
Thapa insisted that the special convention was being organized not to create discord within the party, but to reconnect the party with the people.
