Special general convention weakened NC: Deuba

KATHMANDU: Former Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba accused certain groups of weakening the party by violating party rules and procedures under the guise of holding a special general convention.

Addressing the opening ceremony of a national gathering of the party’s dissident faction in Kathmandu on Friday, Deuba said he won’t talk much about the matter currently pending before the Supreme Court. “But I have full faith in the judiciary. I have trusted the courts since my days as a student activist,” he added.

Stating that the current political situation is delicate, he called on his party to stay united during this critical period. He also urged party leaders and cadres to rise above personal biases to foster genuine unity. “The country is facing widespread public disappointment,” Deuba said. “As the nation’s oldest party, the NC must take the lead in addressing these concerns.”

He also warned the younger generation against ignoring historical political achievements. “Narratives like ‘nothing was accomplished in the past’ might offer short-term political gains to some, but it ultimately harms the country,” Deuba said. He also said he takes pride in the fact that major political transitions in the country happened under NC’s leadership.

Recalling his past struggles for democracy, the former prime minister recounted his confrontation with former King Gyanendra.

“I told King Gyanendra: ‘Your Majesty, I can agree to everything else, but I cannot go against democracy. Under no circumstances will I support anyone opposing democracy—it is my core ideal,'” Deuba said. “After that, the king formed a Royal Commission and imprisoned me. It was the Supreme Court that ultimately ruled in my favor. That is why I have unwavering faith in the judiciary.”

Deuba also said the monarch’s own actions led to the monarchy’s fall.

“Is it realistic to expect the king to return now? The republic became possible because of the Nepali people,” Deuba said. “In a way, the king played a major role in bringing about the republic. When I asked him why he couldn’t abide by a constitutional monarchy like the King of England, he locked me up. Once the king refused to accept a constitutional role, what choice did I have?”