As the party’s general convention inches closer, the Nepali Congress has formally begun the task of amending its statute, a contentious issue between the NC rival factions that have differences over whether to increase the number of office bearers.

The statute amendment committee led by Ananda Prasad Dhungana has started analysing suggestions provided by the party’s district chapters and sister wings regarding revision to the party charter.

In the first meeting of the committee held in Singha Durbar on Tuesday, leaders on the establishment side argued in favour of increasing the number of positions—citing suggestions from the grassroots. The Sher Bahadur Deuba faction of the party, however, opposes the idea.

Committee member Formulha Mansur said the local and district chapters and the NC sister wings have suggested increasing the number of office bearers. “There are suggestions that the seven-member Office Bearers should be expanded to make the party structure more inclusive and federal-friendly,” said Mansur.

He said there are suggestions from the districts for increasing the number of office bearers to make the party nucleus more inclusive, as in the cases of the CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist).

“The new constitution acknowledges the identity of many ethnic groups and communities. We have received suggestions that such provisions should reflect in our party statute,” said Mansur.

The establishment faction has proposed seven general secretaries to be deputed as provincial chiefs of the party committees.

Owing to the dispute, committee members have decided to finalise the amendment proposal only after intensive discussions. The panel will intensify discussions from Tuesday with an aim to resolve the dispute within a couple of days.

The Central Working Committee has entrusted the committee with the responsibility of preparing a proposal on the basis of consensus. The document will be presented to the CWC before it is endorsed at the 13th General Convention.

Membership row resolved

The Nepali Congress has finally resolved disputes regarding distribution of active membership. 

A meeting of top leaders of the party resolved the active membership disputes which had surfaced in Solukhumbu, Kailali, Rautahat and Dolpa districts. The top leaders have reached an understanding that new active members in some of these districts will not be allowed to vote during municipality and village level conventions, following which the party will hold its general convention in March. Regarding Solukhumbu district, all active members of the 12th general convention can take part in the 13th general convention. However, new active members will not be allowed to participate in the March convention. The same rule will be applicable in Kailali district as well. Regarding Dolpa district, new 100 active members will be eligible to take part in the convention. 

Party President Sushil Koirala is scheduled to hand over the final list of active members to the party’s election commission, following which party’s district, municipal and village level conventions will take place. 

According to the NC, the conventions at district, municipal and village levels will be held on scheduled dates.  The party has directed all district level leaders and cadres to go to their respective areas to make preparations for the conventions. (PR)