On the eve of the Central Working Committee meeting, former office bearers of the establishment party have not backed down from their stance that no general convention should be held before the elections. Meanwhile, acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka is in intensive discussions with the general secretaries.
What you should know
On the eve of the Congress Central Working Committee meeting, various groups have become active in seeking a solution to the dispute related to the general convention. Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka is holding discussions with leaders including General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma.
On the other hand, some leaders are advancing a middle-of-the-road proposal in consultation with President Sher Bahadur Deuba. However, former office bearers of the establishment party and leaders in favor of a special general convention have maintained their previous stance.
The meeting of the Congress Central Working Committee has been called for Thursday. The office bearers and members of the Central Working Committee have already expressed their views on Kartik 27. However, the meeting has not been able to take any decision while resolving the dispute over the general convention. The meeting has been postponed in the name of consensus.
On the eve of the meeting on Thursday, former office bearers of the establishment party have not backed down from their stance that no kind of general convention should be held on a date before the election. They are in favor of bringing the agenda in Baisakh after the 21 Falgun elections. Earlier, former office bearers have insisted on holding a vote from the central working committee on whether to hold a special general convention or both regular general conventions.
The establishment-side meeting held on Wednesday at the initiative of former office bearers had concluded that the dispute should be ended by putting the agenda presented by General Secretary Gagan Thapa and Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav to the central working committee for a vote.
Since the central working committee cannot reject the demand for a special general convention, some members of the establishment-side have been active in bringing a middle-of-the-road proposal to prevent the party from splitting. In consultation with President Deuba, party treasurer Umesh Shrestha and member Anil Rungta have tried to get both sides to agree on the agenda for the regular general convention. They have put forward the condition that the agenda for the regular general convention should be brought by mid-Poush, but the petition demanding a special general convention with the signatures of 54 percent of the delegates must be withdrawn.
The supporters of the general convention have announced that they will not withdraw the petition submitted with signatures for a special general convention under any circumstances. They have held a press conference today and said that they want a general convention, not an agenda, and have taken a stand that a special general convention should be called to ensure that.
The establishment party is trying to bring only an agenda in the name of the general convention, and they have informed the press conference that they will not withdraw the petition registered demanding a special general convention.
Youth leader Gururaj Ghimire said that the current problem will not be solved by bringing only an agenda. ‘Now it is clear that the 15th general convention cannot be held. Therefore, honor the demands of the signatory representatives and call a special general convention.’ We are seeking assurance of a general convention,' Ghimire said, 'We do not accept conditions such as bringing a schedule but not holding a general convention and withdrawing the demand for a special general convention. It is not acceptable. What we want is a general convention. The schedule is not for viewing and reading.'
