The second special general convention of the Nepali Congress is underway at Bhrikuti Mandap. Various speculations are being made about this general convention, which was held under the initiative of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma.

Some are saying that this is a step towards transformation in the party, while others are speculating whether the party itself will split.

Delegates and participants who have come to the convention venue from different geographies are confident that this convention will bring about a generational change in the party. Indra Kedem, a member of the Koshi Province Working Committee who came from Taplejung, says that he has come to the convention to bring new faces in the upcoming changes.

‘Our objective is a regular convention. Since there is no regular convention, we need support in our special convention,’ he says, ‘Sher Bahadur Deuba is our guardian. But a new face should come in the upcoming changes, which will make it easier to go to the elections.’ 13 people including him have come to the convention venue from Taplejung.

Kedem, who said that he has come with the objective of making Gagan Thapa the president, is confident that the Congress will not split. ‘Now, Gagan Thapa has accepted the demands of the Genjis. They are also confident that the special general convention will not split the party. We are too,’ he says.

Saurabh Thapa, vice-president of the Nepal Students’ Union, Kavre, also says that the recent political developments in the country have made it necessary for the old mainstream parties to transform, and we have come to the general convention with enthusiasm. ‘The movement of Bhadra 23/24 has given the parties an opportunity to correct themselves. We have come because the Congress should also transform. Now the young generation should lead the Congress party,’ he says.

Saru Baniya, a member of the Bhaktapur Zone No. 1 general committee, says that the general secretary duo has come here because they have led the campaign.

‘The Genji movement has made it clear that the Nepali people are angry among us. We launched a signature campaign from district to district to demand change. The general secretaries accepted the signature campaign and took the lead in our campaign,' she says, 'That's why we have come here for generational change. This special convention will not only make a constitution but also elect the leadership.'

Rajkumar Urlakoti, a participant in the special convention who came from Dhading as a well-wisher, says that now the youth should go to the elections with the party leadership.