The internal friction within the Nepali Congress is poised to escalate further as rival factions consolidate their strength against the current central leadership. In a significant political development, groups aligned with former president Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader Shekhar Koirala, and Krishna Sitaula—who previously operated independently—have joint forces to organize a massive provincial gathering in Biratnagar. During a press conference held on Friday to announce the event, factional representatives openly criticized the operational style, party management, and active membership policies enforced under the leadership of party president Gagan Thapa, who was elected through a special general convention.
Organized under the theme of "Broad Unity, Shared Commitment," the upcoming assembly at the Manaslu Hotel aims to mount pressure on the central establishment. Koshi Province General Secretary Bhupendra Rai and former Chief Minister Kedar Karki leveled harsh criticisms against the current leadership, citing a rise in extreme factionalism, a deviation from party bylaws, and a worrying degradation of institutional empathy. They expressed deep concern over the leadership's failure to issue an official statement following a physical assault on former president Sher Bahadur Deuba, as well as their absence when former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhwas was detained on charges related to the Gen Z movement. According to Rai, such actions demonstrate that the historic character and moral values of the Nepali Congress are rapidly eroding.
The rival coalition has also raised serious concerns over the ongoing active membership update process, characterizing it as a strategic maneuver to capture party structures rather than a genuine organizational reform. Factional leaders alleged that individuals who previously worked against official party candidates and supported the Rastriya Swatantra Party are now rushing to update their memberships to secure positions. Former Chief Minister Karki directly targeted Gagan Thapa, accusing him of reducing his role to a factional leader representing only 54 percent of the party rather than embracing the entire organization. As the Shekhar Koirala faction attempts to defend its traditional stronghold in Koshi Province against Thapa’s expanding influence, this gathering signals a deepening schism that could reshape the party's future trajectory.
