Kathmandu, September 6
The Nepali Congress is preparing to postpone its ward-level conventions for its 15th General Convention by one week. The issue of rescheduling the lower-level conventions will be discussed at a meeting of the party’s Working Committee scheduled for today.
The party is planning to revise the schedule for the lower-level conventions while keeping the previously announced date for the central General Convention unchanged. Party President Gagan Thapa has called a meeting of the Working Committee for 1 pm today.
The 15th General Convention has been scheduled for October 2–4. The party had previously set the ward-level conventions for next Wednesday. A member of the Working Committee said the ward conventions would be postponed by one week. He said four factors had prompted the party to revise the previously announced schedule.
According to the leader, the delay is being considered due to the floods, road disruptions, internal consultations and the Teej festival. The Nepali Congress had decided to mobilise its party members and cadres in response to the devastating Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa on August 26. Roads in various places have been obstructed by the flood and subsequent rainfall. Leaders said internal consultations are also underway to build consensus within the party ahead of the General Convention.
The establishment faction is reportedly holding talks with former Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka and leader Dr Shekhar Koirala. The schedule for the lower-level conventions also coincides with the Haritalika Teej festival. Party leaders said the festival celebrated by women is another reason for postponing the ward conventions. This year, Teej falls on September 14. Under the previously announced schedule, village/municipal-level conventions were set for September 12, while provincial assembly constituency-level conventions were scheduled for September 16.
Another faction of the Nepali Congress has set the date for the General Convention for November. A review petition is also currently pending in court. The establishment faction, however, is moving ahead with plans to hold the central General Convention on the previously announced dates.
A senior leader from the establishment faction said the General Convention scheduled for October 2–4 could be postponed only under one circumstance. “The two writ petitions would have to be withdrawn for a review. If the cases are withdrawn, the date of the central General Convention could also be postponed slightly to create an environment for consensus,” he said.
