Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Shekhar Koirala has said the party must unite and participate in the upcoming elections. He urged party leaders and workers to prepare for both the elections and the party’s 15th general convention.
Speaking at a meeting with leaders close to him on Sunday, Koirala said that preparations for the election would be made based on the Supreme Court’s verdict. “A writ has already been filed at the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s decision,” he said. “We must respect the court’s ruling. As a democratic party, we cannot avoid elections.”
Koirala also said he had requested the Election Commission to postpone the date to file nominations, scheduled for January 20.
While some participants argued that the party should participate in the elections, others said it was not appropriate to do so under the current circumstances.
Koirala said he was facing pressure within the party because of his middle-path approach. “The path of moderation and truth is challenging, but victory ultimately belongs to it. I am walking on the path of truth and will not deviate,” he said.
Stating that the party was passing through a difficult phase, Koirala said there is a need to take the middle-path route to save the party from crisis.
