With the Election Commission validating the Central Working Committee elected at the special general convention, two views have emerged within the party regarding whether former President Sher Bahadur Deuba will return to the original Congress or remain inactive by not participating in the elections.

Meanwhile, the Central Working Committee meeting held in Baneshwor under the chairmanship of party President Gagan Thapa has unanimously passed a proposal to have former President Sher Bahadur Deuba in a guardian role.

‘This meeting expresses its respect for the contribution of respected former President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who has provided leadership to the Nepali Congress for a long time,’ the statement issued after the meeting said, ‘It expresses its confidence that he and his elders will continue to provide guardianship and full support in the coming days.’

Former office bearers close to Deuba and some senior central members have decided not to contest the elections and not to sit in the working committee led by Congress President Gagan Thapa. However, third-tier leaders are trying to return to where they were before the tree and the flag.

A meeting of former office bearers and members of the Deuba faction held in Sanepa on Saturday has decided to launch a legal battle against the decision of the commission. As the writ petition is being prepared to be filed on Sunday, the leaders plan to take a decision only after that, while the fraternal organizations have also made up their minds to proceed according to the court order. Former Attorney General Khamma Bahadur Khati has been given the responsibility of filing the writ petition in the court on Sunday. Similarly, former office bearer Purna Bahadur Khadka has been authorized to proceed with the process. 

The first meeting of the Nepali Congress held in Baneshwor after receiving recognition from the Election Commission has directed the working committees of all levels from the village to the center to participate in the elections together. Spokesperson Devraj Chalise said that the entire central working committee is leading the campaign to unite the Nepali Congress.

Based on their respective contacts, central office bearers and members are holding discussions with the old establishment and leader Shekhar Koirala and his supporters. Most of the leadership of the fraternal organizations are in favor of Deuba. An official said that talks are also being held with them.

‘20/30 central members who are not in favor of the special general convention have already come in contact to say that they will not give up the tree and four-star flag, efforts are underway to bring other leaders as well,’ he said, ‘Former office bearers and second-tier leaders after Sher Bahadur Dai are feeling a bit uncomfortable. However, leaders of the generation below that are in a position to adjust easily.’

Central members Sujata Koirala, Ramhari Khatiwada, Chandra Bhandari, Sunil Sharma, Dinesh Koirala and some leaders have called for accepting the decision of the Constitutional Commission and moving forward. Khatiwada has said that there is no option but to accept it, saying that wherever the tree and four-star flag are, the Congress will be there. 

‘Not many friends have done this now, leaving the four-star flag and tree symbol behind. We should all be able to send a message of unity during the elections,’ Khatiwada said. ‘We should accept change, the newly elected president and office bearers should move forward respecting the old and new generations.’

He also said that there should be no division in ticket distribution like before. ‘Yesterday’s sixty/forty should be ended now, tickets should be given to those who can win honestly. Not to those who seek our relatives, donors, and money. Not to those who fill their ears. Those who work should be given a chance,’ he said.

Former central member Sujata Koirala said that the new central working committee should be elected without party division and should be accepted with joy. ‘A lot of changes are coming in the country, we should not be afraid of change. Nepali society wants change. We should embrace change with joy,’ Koirala said in a video message on Saturday. ‘There has also been a change in the Congress. A new president has arrived. He came a little early, that's all.'

Another former central member Dinesh Koirala said that the Thapa-led working committee should be accepted with joy. He suggests that the old leaders should be respected as guardians and move forward. 'We were discussing the issue of not allowing the party to split, after the Election Commission has made the decision, the meeting is no longer necessary,' he said near Shekhar Koirala. 'After Gagan Thapa becomes the president, everyone should unite and go to the election under his leadership.'

Leader Shekhar Koirala also appeared positive in favor of accepting the commission's decision. Koirala, who participated in the Sanepa meeting on Saturday, had expressed his opinion that there should be no street protests and struggles except for seeking legal remedies against the commission's decision. Despite the insistence of former office bearers to hold street struggles, the meeting did not take any decision on it after Koirala disagreed.

'Shekhar is in favor of taking the party in a coordinated manner. Most of his close members are saying that they will return to the mainstream. But Shekhardai and former office bearers are waiting for the court order,' said a central member close to him, 'The conversation will move forward only after the court order comes out.'

In a conversation with leaders close to him at the liaison office in Bishalnagar, Koirala said that it is a matter of personal freedom to decide whether to contest the election or not. 'I will decide for myself what to do about me, those who want to contest the election should fight, those who do not want to think for themselves, I will not say anything about it,' a leader close to him said, quoting Koirala, 'The main thing is that the former chairman and he decide what the court does. After that, a kind of atmosphere will be created.'

Former Koshi Chief Minister Kedar Karki said that the newly elected central leaders should now work to minimize misunderstandings. ‘Everyone should accept the truth, Shekhardai will also join the mainstream of the Congress,’ Karki said, ‘I don’t think there is any ambiguity or doubt about him.’

The Deuba-led meeting in Sanepa has decided to seek legal redress against the commission’s decision, considering it contrary to the constitution, prevailing laws, established precedents and party statute.

‘The intention to cause serious damage to the Nepali Congress by illegally changing the duly elected central working committee of the country’s largest democratic party is clear. This decision is part of a conspiracy to undermine the democratic system in the country,’ the decision was made public after the Sanepa meeting, saying, ‘Strongly opposing the malicious decision of the Election Commission, this meeting decides to take constitutional and legal redress and political protest against the decision.’

Meanwhile, the Congress has started preparations to field candidates in 165 constituencies. The meeting of the parliamentary board led by President Gagan Thapa has begun since Saturday. The Congress has a parliamentary board headed by the president to distribute tickets. The office bearers of the board headed by the president are ex-officio members. The president has the right to add 11 people from among the central members to it. Since efforts are being made to include the Deuba faction, preparations for ticket distribution have begun without appointing additional members, and the president has started by consulting the leaders of the relevant sectors as needed.

The Congress has already started a 'shortlist' to select aspiring candidates recommended from 165 constituencies. The office bearers are also making efforts to include the Deuba faction. President Thapa and Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma are trying to meet and talk to former President Deuba to discuss ticket distribution issues, including broader unity within the Congress, but they have not had time until Saturday night.

'The Congress will not make any compromises that go against its core values, beliefs and principles. It will end unnatural alliances with anyone, at any time, for power,' said a statement issued by spokesperson Chalise. 'The party will move forward in accordance with the will of the people. Just as our forefathers took the initiative for democracy and people's rights in the past, the Congress will now lead progress by protecting and implementing the current constitution with timely amendments.'

Despite the recognition of the Election Commission, the Congress Central Working Committee meeting has not been held in Sanepa. The newly elected Central Working Committee meeting has been held outside due to the control of the Sanepa party office by the former President Deuba faction. The Deuba faction, on the other hand, has been continuously holding meetings in Sanepa.