According to supporters of the special general convention, it is almost certain that around 70 percent of the general convention delegates from Jhapa will participate.
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As the debate over the special general convention in the Nepali Congress has become complicated, its impact is now starting to be seen within the group close to Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
As leaders from Jhapa, near Sitaula, who have long been considered the establishment wing, have started to stand in favor of a special general convention, a new sign has emerged in the balance of power within the Congress.
The most important political message in this series has come from Sitaula's home district, Jhapa.
Sudhir Shiwakoti, former president of Jhapa Congress, member of the Constituent Assembly and considered a confidant of Sitaula, has openly stood in favor of a special general convention. His move is seen not only as a personal decision but also as a sign of dissatisfaction within the Sitaula group.
According to those in favor of the special general convention, it is almost certain that about 70 percent of the general convention delegates from Jhapa will participate. If this claim becomes a reality, it could be a big setback not only for Jhapa but also for the establishment wing in the entire Koshi region.
Shiwakoti is a leader with deep organizational roots in the Jhapa Congress. He was the secretary when Sitaula was the district president and later became the president of Jhapa Congress for two terms. Due to this organizational background, his call has been taken as a sign of having more impact at the cadre level than ordinary political expression.
Calling for participation in the special general convention on Saturday through social media, Shiwakoti has accused the party of being ‘captured by the weak and the strong’. Quoting BP Koirala’s views, he said that a special general convention is indispensable to re-purify the party. ‘Let those who can go to Kathmandu, let those who cannot, stay in the district and actively support,’ is his call.
He wrote, ‘I cordially appeal to you to join the campaign to liberate the party from the leaders who are called the Meccan establishment and their tyranny.’
Politically, this expression is not just an ideological disagreement. The background to Shiwakoti’s latest discontent is equally meaningful. This time, despite being assured of being a candidate for the National Assembly, he publicly expressed his dissatisfaction after his name was dropped at the last minute. This allows his support for the special general convention to be interpreted as a mixture of personal pain and organizational dissatisfaction.
Shiwakoti is a leader who served as the president of the Jhapa Congress for two terms from 2056 to 2064. Elected from Jhapa-2 in the 2070 Constituent Assembly election, he is known as the leader who led the movement in Jhapa in both the 2046 and 2062-63 people's movements. The history of being subjected to extreme torture while in military custody during the 2062-63 people's movement also makes his political background different.
According to a leader in favor of the special general convention, the fact that leaders close to Sitaula are attracted to the special general convention is a sign that the dispute within the Congress is now going beyond personal factions and transforming into dissatisfaction with the leadership.
This message from Jhapa has given a new twist to the debate on the special general convention. Now the question arises, is this a personal decision of some leaders, or a sign of restructuring that has begun within the Sitaula group? As the special general convention of December 27-28 approaches, Jhapa's role will provide the answer.
