EC Decision Grants Official Recognition to Thapa-Sharma Faction of Nepali Congress

The Election Commission on Friday evening, January 16, decided to recognise the special general convention held by the Gagan Thapa–Bishwa Prakash Sharma faction of the Nepali Congress and to update the party leadership elected through it.

The special convention elected Gagan Thapa as party president, deepening the conflict in the country’s grand old party, with the establishment faction led by Sher Bahadur Deuba rejecting the outcome.

Thapa and Sharma, both general secretaries elected by the party’s 14th general convention, had earlier demanded an early general convention ahead of the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. They argued that the party needed reform, introspection and a change in leadership following the Gen Z-led protests in September.

The Deuba-led establishment faction rejected calls for an early convention. It announced that the general convention would be held only after the elections, a move widely seen as an effort to retain control over ticket distribution.

In response, the Thapa–Sharma camp launched a drive to hold a special general convention. They claimed the support of a majority of delegates (54 percent) from the 14th general convention.

As the rift widened, the Deuba-led Central Working Committee on Wednesday expelled Thapa, Sharma and Joint General Secretary Farmullah Mansoor for five years. The committee accused them of defying party decisions and running parallel party activities.

The rival faction dismissed the disciplinary action. It maintained that the special convention was legitimate and reflected the will of the party majority. The same night Thapa was elected the president unopposed. Thapa argued that the Deuba-led executive committee had lost its legitimacy and urged the Election Commission to recognise the leadership elected by the special convention.

Both factions approached the Election Commission claiming to be the legitimate party. The Thapa-led faction applied to update the party’s official details. The Deuba-led faction filed a counter-application opposing the request.

Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, commissioners Sagun Shumsher JBR and Janaki Kumari Tuladhar, and the Commission’s secretary held deliberations on the dispute.

Earlier in the day, cadres from both sides chanted slogans against each other outside the Commission while their leaders held talks with election officials.

Purna Bahadur Thapa, acting president of the Deuba-led faction, had warned of nationwide protests if the Commission ruled in favour of the Thapa faction.

The dispute is expected to move into the courts. A legal battle, including a possible case at the Supreme Court, remains likely.