Kathmandu, August 18
The Nepali Congress has suspended a provision in its party statute that requires local-level conventions to be completed well before the Central General Convention, clearing a procedural hurdle to its planned 15th General Convention.
The Central Working Committee, which concluded its nine-day meeting, decided to suspend Article 35(2)(d) of the party statute, spokesperson Devraj Chalise said.
So, what does the suspended provision actually say?
What does Article 35(2)(d) require?
The provision states that all local-level conventions and the formation of local-level party committees must be completed at least one year before the year in which the Central General Convention and provincial conventions are held.
It also sets a separate timeline for electing representatives.
According to the provision, representatives elected from local-level conventions for the provincial convention and Central General Convention must be elected at least three months before the respective conventions.
In other words, under the normal party statute, the Congress would have needed to complete its local-level organisational process significantly ahead of the Central General Convention.
Why did Nepali Congress suspend it?
The party has already decided to hold its 15th General Convention in Kathmandu from October 2 to 5.
With the time remaining insufficient to complete all the organisational processes required under Article 35(2)(d), the Central Working Committee decided to suspend the provision, according to Chalise.
The decision was made specifically to ensure that the general convention can be held within the scheduled timeframe.
The party’s decision states that the provision was suspended because it was necessary to do so under the prevailing circumstances to complete the 15th General Convention within the set timeframe.
What else did Nepali Congress decide?
The Central Working Committee has formed a 15th General Convention Management Committee under party president Gagan Kumar Thapa.
The committee will establish subcommittees responsible for accommodation, food arrangements, stage management, hospitality, health services and other convention-related preparations.
The party has also formed a 15th General Convention Publicity Committee under spokesperson Chalise.
Thapa will present the main political proposal at the convention, focusing on “The Coming Decade, Democracy and the Nepali Congress.”
Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma will present a proposal on the decline of political culture and the need for transformation, while Vice President Pushpa Bhusal will present a special proposal on provincial elections.
General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire will present a proposal on party organisation.
Nepali Congress has also formed a Statute Amendment Committee under General Secretary Pradeep Poudel. The committee will collect suggestions from different levels, bodies and members of the party and prepare proposals for amendments to make the statute more relevant to current circumstances.
