The internal dispute has reached a new peak after the Central Disciplinary Committee of the Nepali Congress decided to seek an explanation from former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka. The committee decided on Wednesday to seek an explanation from Khadka by submitting a reply within 7 days. Khadka, however, has termed the decision as ridiculous and said that he will not provide an explanation.

The disciplinary committee led by Taraman Gurung has asked for a seven-day explanation as per Article 34, Clause 8 (d) of the statute. The statute states that ‘when taking action against a body, official or member who violates discipline or deciding an appeal against a decision of the district or provincial disciplinary committee, they may be reminded, warned, suspended or expelled based on the offense in accordance with the regulations and code of conduct.’ It is stated that no one will be deprived of the opportunity to defend themselves while taking such action. Article 34, Clause 8 (e) of the statute provides that bodies, official and members who violate discipline can be suspended for one year and expelled for a maximum of five years.

The disciplinary committee had warned Khadka on April 24 not to engage in parallel activities. Gurung, the coordinator of the committee, informed that an explanation was asked after the parallel activities were repeated and action would be taken if no response was received within seven days. ‘The explanation was asked as per the provisions in the statute. If no explanation is received, action will be taken as per the statute. No one will be stopped and stopped,’ he said.

The committee has made the statement issued on 14 and 30 Chaitra as the main basis when asking for clarification. Khadka had issued a statement on 14 Chaitra as the party's 'letter head' and acting president in protest against the arrest of former Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Oli and Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

Khadka has responded that it is ridiculous and unfair to ask for clarification from him when the writ filed in the Supreme Court is pending, calling the special general convention and the central working committee that emerged from it illegal. 'Asking for clarification when the writ is pending in the court is ridiculous, irrelevant and pointless,' Khadka told Kantipur, 'I do not have to keep giving clarification to the committees for which I have filed a writ claiming that they are illegal.'

The special general convention held on 17-30 Paush amid disagreements between the then Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader Shekhar Koirala's group had elected a 134-member central working committee under the leadership of Gagan Thapa. After the Election Commission decided to recognize the Thapa-led working committee on 20 January, former President Deuba and former Acting President Khadka filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court on 20 January. The court has fixed Thursday for its hearing.

While the writ petition was pending in the Supreme Court, the Congress headed by Thapa entered the elections. Although it seemed united at the time, the dispute escalated after the elections.

Immediately after the disciplinary committee decided to ask Khadka for an explanation, the Central Working Committee meeting held in Sanepa has given President Thapa the responsibility to hold a dialogue for unity within the party.

‘It has been decided to give President Gagan Kumar Thapa the responsibility to hold a dialogue with all the party members to ensure greater unity in the party and complete the 15th General Convention within the stipulated time,’ the decision said.

General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire said that the dialogue will begin from the party leadership on Thursday itself. ‘It seems that everyone’s attention has shifted to Thursday’s court case,’ he said, ‘there is no shortage of initiatives for unity.’

Leaders of the Congress establishment party have been saying that a broad unity should be sought by going to the party’s upcoming 15th general convention. Khadka, on the other hand, says that it will be easier to achieve unity after the court’s decision. ‘Everyone should accept the decision made by the esteemed court. The party will move forward unitedly only after the Supreme Court’s decision on the party’s dispute,’ he said. He said that the Election Commission had to go to court because it had made an illegal decision against the constitution, prevailing laws, the Political Parties Act and established precedents.

Khadka’s group has also reached the conclusion of boycotting the ‘Jara Abhiyan’ that the Thapa-led committee started on Tuesday to update active membership. Leader Bimalendra Nidhi said that a meeting held at Khadka’s residence immediately after the Sanepa decision appealed to leaders and cadres not to update active memberships repeatedly as the renewal of active membership and distribution of new memberships had already been finalized.

‘We have not accepted the decision of the Election Commission to recognize the office bearers declared by the special general convention, the commission has not given a decision based on law and constitutionalism. The commission has made a decision based on minority, majority. That is why it is controversial,’ said Nidhi, ‘A writ has been filed in the court against the decision of the commission. We are confident that the court will give a decision based on constitutionalism. While the writ is pending, the clarification sought against Khadka is not justified.’

Most of the leaders who call the leadership that came from the special general convention illegitimate were candidates in the February 21 House of Representatives election on a ticket signed by Thapa. Leaders from Khadka’s side, including Nidhi, Prakasharan Mahat, Vijay Kumar Gachhadar, Mahendra Yadav, NP Saud, Kishore Singh Rathore, and others, contested the election.

Leader Mahat commented that the process of action has increased the distance at a time when the party should have been further strengthened in challenging times. He said that even though he contested the election under special circumstances, the central working committee that came from the special general convention was not accepted.

Some leaders who are in Khadka's favor say that the decision to hold dialogue for party unity should be welcomed. 'Dialogue is necessary for party unity. We are about to be destroyed, there is no option but to unite. If the Congress becomes weak when all areas are being attacked, it will face an even bigger attack,' said leader Ramhari Khatiwada, 'We should start a campaign to unite the party and make it the first in the local and provincial elections to be held next year.'

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'The letterpad I used is genuine'

- Purna Bahadur Khadka

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The decision to ask you for an explanation has been made, how have you taken it?

First of all, we are in favor of the 14th General Convention, the kind of commentary that has been made that it is Deuba's party, it should be corrected. Right now, the main problem within the Congress is between the Central Working Committee members elected from the 14th General Convention and the special general convention members. There are no two parties in the entire Congress. Apart from the central working committee, there is a structure from the province, district to ward that came from the 14th general convention. It is not a dispute over the entire structure.

What do you think of the decision to ask for an explanation from you?

I came to know that the explanation was asked through you, through the structure formed by the so-called special general convention. We have filed a writ in the Supreme Court with the conclusion that the Election Commission has made a decision contrary to the established precedent, which is under consideration. I have filed the writ in the capacity of the acting president. The fact that an explanation is being asked in this context is ridiculous, irrelevant, and meaningless. I have filed the writ in the capacity of the acting president saying that the committees are illegal. Everyone should accept the decision made by the esteemed court.