- The Deuba-led faction submitted a five-point proposal demanding representation, party unity, and a clear schedule for the 15th General Convention.
- Senior leaders seek inclusion in decision-making bodies to ensure their long-term contributions are valued alongside the party's new generation of leaders.
- Disagreements over active membership and communication have fueled distrust between the establishment and the former party president’s faction.
- The Deuba faction warned of a national gathering in Shrawan if their demands for meaningful dialogue and political survival are not addressed.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal’s oldest democratic party, the Nepali Congress, is once again facing a moment of internal uncertainty. Behind the formal language of a five-point proposal submitted by the faction led by former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba lies a deeper struggle — a struggle over recognition, political space, leadership authority, and the future direction of the party.
The proposal, presented in the name of party unity, has opened a new chapter in the ongoing debate between the old guard and the new generation of Congress leaders. While the Deuba faction says it wants cooperation and a dignified settlement, many within the party are asking a difficult question:
Is this a genuine hand extended for reconciliation, or is it a carefully calculated political message before a major confrontation?
For many Congress leaders and cadres, the debate is not only about positions and committees. It is also about identity, belonging, and whether decades of political contribution will continue to be valued in a rapidly changing party.
A Party Caught Between Experience and Change
The current dispute reflects a larger transformation taking place inside the Nepali Congress.
On one side stands a younger generation that believes the party must change with the times. They argue that Congress needs a new political culture based on transparency, accountability, internal democracy, and fresh leadership.
On the other side are senior leaders who spent decades building the party, facing political struggles, and strengthening its organizational foundation. They believe that experience and sacrifice cannot simply be pushed aside in the name of change.
The tension between these two forces has been growing for some time. The latest five-point proposal has brought that tension into the open.
The central question facing Congress is simple but difficult:
Can the party successfully combine the energy of the new generation with the experience of its senior leaders, or will internal competition turn into permanent division?
Deuba Faction’s Message: Include Us or We Choose Our Own Path
The Deuba faction, which stayed away from the special general convention held last Poush, has demanded a respectful role in the upcoming 15th General Convention scheduled for Asoj.
The faction argues that party unity cannot be achieved by ignoring leaders and cadres who have contributed to Congress for many years.
According to the faction, the purpose of the five-point proposal is not to challenge the new leadership but to ensure that the transition takes place through cooperation rather than exclusion.
However, political observers see a stronger message hidden behind the appeal:
“We are ready to cooperate, but we cannot accept being forgotten.”
The proposal has therefore become more than an organizational document. It has become a reflection of the anxiety and uncertainty felt by a powerful faction that fears losing its influence in the new political arrangement.
A Proposal Waiting for Political Response
The Deuba faction publicly released the proposal through a press conference held at its contact office in Chundevi.
The faction claims that the document was sent to Congress Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma on Jestha 18. However, it says that no formal response came from the establishment side despite waiting for a considerable period.
The establishment faction has a different view. It argues that the proposal was sent through WhatsApp and was not presented as an official party document requiring formal discussion.
Behind this disagreement over communication lies a deeper issue — a lack of trust between the two sides.
In political parties, disagreements are natural. But when communication channels become weak, even small differences can grow into major conflicts.
The Congress now faces the challenge of rebuilding confidence among its own leaders before trying to convince the public of its political strength.
The Silent Pressure Behind the Proposal
Congress leader Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, representing the Deuba faction, has said that his group has already made maximum efforts to protect party unity.
His statement that “the time for decision has arrived” carries a clear political signal.
The Deuba faction has warned that if meaningful dialogue does not begin, it may organize a national gathering within Shrawan.
Although described as a party activity, political observers interpret the planned gathering as a way to demonstrate organizational strength and send a message to the current leadership.
The proposal, therefore, contains both an invitation and a warning — a willingness to compromise, but also a readiness to fight for political survival.
What the Five Points Really Mean
At first glance, the five demands appear organizational. But each point reflects a deeper political concern.
Recognition of the Past Leadership
The demand to adjust leaders elected from the 14th General Convention into the current structure shows the Deuba faction’s desire to maintain continuity.
The message is that while leadership may change, the contribution of previous leaders should not disappear.
A Voice in Party Decisions
The demand for representation in key decision-making bodies reflects the reality of internal party politics.
For any faction, having a presence in powerful committees means having influence over future decisions, candidate selection, and organizational direction.
Certainty Over the General Convention
The demand for a clear schedule for the 15th General Convention reflects concern over prolonged uncertainty.
A delayed convention could increase suspicion and deepen divisions among party members.
Fair Representation in Committees
By accepting that the current leadership may hold majority positions in convention-related committees, the Deuba faction appears to be showing some flexibility.
It suggests that the faction is not demanding complete control but seeking guarantees of fair participation.
The Sensitive Membership Issue
The dispute over active membership remains the most emotional and politically important issue.
Membership determines who can participate and vote in party conventions. Therefore, any disagreement over membership directly affects future leadership contests.
The Deuba faction fears that changes in membership records could unintentionally reduce the influence of its supporters.
A Test of Political Maturity
The current situation has become a test not only for the Deuba faction but also for the leadership of Gagan Thapa.
The new leadership must answer a difficult question:
How can it bring change without making experienced leaders feel abandoned?
Political transformation requires courage, but sustainable change also requires inclusion.
If the new leadership treats the proposal as an opportunity for dialogue, Congress could emerge stronger and more united.
But if both sides continue to view each other with suspicion, the dispute could deepen and create long-term damage to the party.
Congress at a Crossroads
The struggle inside the Nepali Congress is ultimately about more than one proposal or two competing factions. It is about the future character of the party.
Will Congress become a party where different generations work together, combining experience with innovation?
Or will internal rivalry weaken the organization at a time when Nepal’s political landscape is already changing rapidly?
The answer will depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise.
The five-point proposal can either become a bridge connecting two generations of Congress leadership or become another milestone in a long history of internal conflict.
For now, the political spotlight remains on the Congress leadership — and especially on whether Gagan Thapa can turn a moment of tension into an opportunity for renewal.
