The internal strife within the Nepali Congress has been ongoing continuously since the time of BP Koirala. After the struggle against the Panchayat system and the subsequent achievement of democracy, the Congress formed a single-party government in 1991. Even after forming the government, internal conflict persisted within the Congress. After the special general convention held in January 2026 BS (December 2025/January 2026 AD), this conflict took on an even newer form. Since then, instead of subsiding, the internal strife has only intensified. The history of the Congress shows that internal disputes have not only led to members defeating each other in parliamentary elections but have even caused party splits.

Due to internal conflict, Girija Prasad Koirala was accused of defeating Krishna Prasad Bhattarai in the parliamentary elections of 1991 and 1993. After Madan Bhandari died in a jeep accident, on the eve of the by-election of 3 Mangsir 2050 BS (November 1993), then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala made a 17-minute audio statement against Congress candidate Krishna Prasad in Kathmandu-1, which was broadcast through state media. The clear intention of that statement was to ensure Krishna Prasad's defeat. After the 1991 election, Girija Prasad's relationship with Ganesh Man Singh never improved.

In February 1997, there was talk that Girija Prasad and his team played a role in removing Sher Bahadur Deuba from the post of Prime Minister. At that time, Deuba was removed from the parliamentary party and Girija Prasad himself became the leader. This widened the rift between Deuba and Koirala. On 30 Chaitra 2054 BS (April 1998), Girija Prasad became Prime Minister for the second time. By then, Deuba had already started presenting himself as the leader of a separate faction within the party.

Because the party president and the prime minister were the same person, the greatest dissatisfaction was that Girija Prasad made most decisions in a small circle, ignoring the central working committee. Krishna Prasad disagreed with many of Girija Prasad's decisions. However, fearing that the party might split or become weak, there are many examples where Krishna Prasad himself backed down on certain issues. Ganesh Man also used to express dissatisfaction with Krishna Prasad, saying he could not keep Girija Prasad on the right path. On one hand, Ganesh Man would be angry, and on the other, Girija Prasad would make unilateral decisions, leaving Krishna Prasad caught in the middle.

While this situation was ongoing, party president Girija Prasad nominated central member Sushil Koirala as party vice president on 20 Ashoj 2055 BS (October 1998), which further intensified the conflict. Sushil's nomination angered Krishna Prasad and Deuba. At a time when Girija Prasad was being accused of not maintaining balance in the party while forming the cabinet, Sushil's nomination was like adding fuel to the fire of dissatisfaction. Therefore, Deuba, expressing his dissatisfaction in a sarcastic manner, said, "Why was Sushil removed from the post of general secretary? I don't know. Why has he now been brought in as vice president? I don't know that either." Sushil's appointment also sparked talk that Girija Prasad had chosen his successor. Since Sushil was a leader with a long history of struggle, some also responded that his appointment as vice president was natural.

Insiders in the Congress said that Girija Prasad had now sent the message that Sushil was the leader of the second generation in the party. At a program organized by Krishna Prasad in memory of Reconciliation Day, Deuba and Ram Chandra Paudel were among the leaders welcoming guests. It is said that many understood this event as Krishna Prasad's attempt to promote Deuba and Paudel. In response, Girija Prasad tried to send the message that Sushil was now the second-generation leader. Sushil, on the other hand, had been expressing dissatisfaction over the inclusion of the United People's Front in the government. At that time, it was also made public that Girija Prasad was trying to reduce that dissatisfaction.

Krishna Prasad's Dissatisfaction Erupts

Krishna Prasad expressed dissatisfaction over Girija Prasad appointing Sushil as vice president. He responded that the vice president's appointment clearly showed "family dominance" in the party. At a time when Sushil's appointment was expected to destabilize the political balance in the Congress, Krishna Prasad's reaction caused a stir in the party. The late Ganesh Man used to accuse the Koiralas of family-centrism. For the first time, Krishna Prasad echoed Ganesh Man's line with such a response.

In a conversation with Kantipur, Krishna Prasad said, "Koirala has nominated his brother Sushil as the party's vice president. This act has clearly demonstrated family dominance in the country's largest party, the Congress." Referring to previous appointments of other family members to various party positions, Krishna Prasad also expressed dissatisfaction over the nomination of his niece Shailaja Acharya as central member and deputy prime minister, and his sister-in-law Nona Koirala as central member.

After remaining silent for a long time, he expressed serious dissatisfaction with Girija Prasad's working style. He was particularly dissatisfied with Girija Prasad's tendency to make decisions alone. "The purpose of my critical remarks is by no means to belittle the hardships endured by Sushil, Shailaja, and Nona in the struggle to restore democracy in the country," Krishna Prasad said. He stated that his greatest dissatisfaction was that Girija Prasad did not have the central working committee approve unpleasant decisions.

At the general committee meeting held in Nepalgunj in Mangsir 2054 BS (November/December 1997), Girija Prasad, seeking a way out of his differences with Krishna Prasad, asked all central members to resign. However, Krishna Prasad was not satisfied with the members nominated to the central committee afterward. Due to his dissatisfaction, Krishna Prasad resigned from the central committee. As voices of dissatisfaction grew within the party, Krishna Prasad and Girija Prasad reached the Godavari Agreement in Magh 2054 BS (January/February 1998).

The agreement stated that party decisions would be made with Krishna Prasad's consent. It was agreed that the nomination of central committee members, ministers joining the government, and all nominations in sister organizations would be made through consultation. However, when this agreement was not implemented, Krishna Prasad's dissatisfaction grew, and he leveled serious accusations of "family-centrism" against Girija Prasad.