There is an indecision within the party on whether to hold the 15th Congress of the Nepali Congress before or after the elections. The party is being criticized for its weak presence in the political developments following the Genji Movement.

The Congress has been embroiled in the issue of the general convention for three weeks. While the issue of the general convention itself has not been resolved, the presence of the Congress has not been seen anywhere in national politics. A conversation between Congress leader Pradeep Poudel and Kantipur's Kulchandra Neupane on these and similar issues:

The Congress has been indecisive for a long time over the issue of whether the party's 15th general convention should be held before or after the elections. The presence of the Congress has not been seen anywhere in the political developments after the Genji movement. Is this not the reason why the Congress is still on the path to recovery?

The Congress should have held its regular general convention on time even if this election had not been announced or if this situation had not arisen. We should not doubt that the regular general convention will be held on time even now. However, two views have been expressed in the party's central committee meeting regarding the general convention recently. Discussions are underway in the party on this. It is not unusual for the party to have discussions as it is democratic. However, the general convention should not be held after the election, but before it. Because the general convention is linked to both the Genji movement and the election.

We should understand the Genji movement as a warning against us. Therefore, the Nepali Congress should use this situation as an opportunity to improve and correct itself. Correcting errors, clarifying ambiguities, and providing solutions to the country's problems should be our main objective. These and other issues can only be resolved by the general convention. Changing the status quo and policy situation is our main political issue. Only if understood in this way can the Congress correct itself and move forward in a way that will lead in the coming days. Correcting itself means holding regular conventions. I have already brought a clear view to the Central Committee in favor of regular conventions, transformation, and generational transfer. It covers many issues, and I have also received support from the central members. This also makes it clear that the Congress is on the path to correcting itself.

There is a reaction that it is counterproductive to hold the House of Representatives election and the party convention at the same time. How do you view this?

The general convention is the first step in the process of rectification. How can the general convention be held at a time when competing parties whose terms have not yet ended hold conventions, and when leadership changes and policy clarity are mandatory even after the term has ended? The party should be completely clear from the ideological side in the elections. Common friends are in dilemma on some issues. Leadership changes and policy clarity will inspire friends across the country.

The first way to win the elections is to find a way, and a regular general convention is the first way. Therefore, this will not be counterproductive, but will be fruitful for the Congress. For a democratic party to say that internal strife in the party increases through a regular process like a convention is to reject the democratic process itself. Therefore, a convention is essential for the success of the Congress in the upcoming elections.

What could be the motive behind not wanting to hold a general convention before the elections?

At this time, the interests of the party and the country should be considered above personal interests. We should understand what the times want rather than what is favorable to a particular person. Now, like yesterday, whatever is done, we should not move forward thinking that I should have said it in the Congress, we should understand the wishes of the citizens and make changes according to the times. We should now abandon the fact that individuals dominate the decision-making process in the Congress Party like yesterday. The use of party power should be legal, not just according to the benefits and wishes of any person.

The general convention creates a situation that increases unity, clarity and trust of common friends in the party, can remove those who have been continuously using party power from that facility and can build a strong Congress. Therefore, the general convention may harm very few, but it will benefit the party in the long term.

Can't General Secretary Gagan Thapa present the agenda of the general convention, even if it is unilaterally?

All issues have their own methods. After the agenda of the regular general convention is established, where, when and how the general convention will be held is linked to that. The decision made regarding the general convention determines the agenda. The whole issue is whether the agenda of the general convention will be before or after the election. In that, the General Secretary is trying to bring an agenda before the election. There are friends in the party's central committee who want the party's interests. Therefore, the agenda in accordance with that should have the support of the majority of friends.

I have presented the agenda of the general convention when I spoke in the central committee. Therefore, the General Secretary cannot be stopped from presenting the agenda. It comes in the form of a proposal, and if it needs to be amended or something else needs to be done, a decision can be taken only through discussion. The message of not allowing the agenda proposal to be brought has sent a message that a democratic party like the Congress has become narrow. Our own activities are making the people's thinking and attitude towards us negative. We should not move forward in a place where there is a leadership level like the central committee to send such a message.

Wouldn't the 'ego' of the general convention before and after the election and the demand for a special general convention on the other hand lead to a situation where the party itself will be divided?

It seems that the Congress is trying to correct and clarify itself by including the issue of the Genji movement only because the party's general convention is held just before the elections. Let's not waste this opportunity to gain the support of the citizens in the elections by postponing the general convention. We want the interests of the party and the country, and the natural issue that should be done before the general convention should not be made an ego.

A special general convention is not a forced issue. Article 17, Clause 2 of the statute has clearly provided that 40 percent of the general convention delegates can demand a special general convention by signing it. Spreading fear that the party will split when trying to use the statutory system is ignoring the responsible friends of the party. The general convention delegate himself is a person with long continuity and loyalty to the party. It should be considered very natural for him to try to exercise the rights granted by the statutory system without being satisfied with the work of the Central Committee. Since the elections are on the eve of the elections, a special general convention may not be as useful as a regular general convention. Therefore, to prevent a special general convention, it is imperative to hold the 15th general convention before the election.