Congress dispute reaches Supreme Court as Deuba faction challenges EC decision

Kathmandu: As expected, the internal dispute within the Nepali Congress has now escalated into a legal battle, as the faction aligned with Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken the matter to the Supreme Court of Nepal.

The disagreement originates from Friday’s decision by the Election Commission to grant official recognition to the newly elected central working committee of the party, led by Gagan Kumar Thapa, chosen during a special general convention held at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu.

On Saturday, leaders supporting the Deuba faction held a meeting at the party’s central office in Sanepa, where they strongly objected to the commission’s decision. They described the move as unlawful and contrary to the Nepali Congress statute, the Constitution of Nepal, and established precedent.

According to Deuba’s supporters, the Election Commission made its ruling without adequately hearing both sides or properly evaluating the legality and legitimacy of the assembly that elected Thapa’s leadership. Following the meeting, the faction authorised Purna Bahadur Khadka, who was appointed acting party president by Deuba in October, and other senior leaders to file a writ petition with the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission’s decision.

The Deuba group has described the commission’s move as prejudicial and potentially harmful to the democratic processes within Nepal’s largest democratic political party. On Sunday, key leaders from the Deuba camp, including Khadka, reached the Supreme Court to register their legal challenge. With the dispute now before the judiciary, the case’s outcome could have significant implications for the Nepali Congress’s organisational structure and its preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5.

The ongoing leadership tussle between the Deuba and Thapa factions has also complicated internal party processes such as candidate selection, with the nominations under the direct election system due on Tuesday. A special convention held last week, despite strong opposition from the Deuba faction, elected a new leadership under Thapa. With the Election Commission’s decision to recognise the outcome of that convention, the central working committee led by Deuba and elected at the previous convention was rendered invalid.