Editorial photo #13203983 Politics
Nepal’s Election Commission Recognizes Gagan Thapa-led Nepali Congress As Official Party
Acting Nepali Congress President Purna Bahadur Khadka addresses the meeting held at the Election Commission Office after the commencement of the special general convention of the party called by rival factions led by Gagan Thapa and Bishwoprakash Sharma in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The internal rift within the Nepali Congress deepens after a special general convention is organized without the consent of party president Sher Bahadur Deuba. The convention, held at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu, elects Gagan Thapa as party president. Following the convention, the Deuba faction accuses Thapa and his allies of organizing an ''illegal'' gathering and subsequently expels Thapa, along with leaders Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Farmullah Mansoor, from the party. Since then, the country's oldest democratic party remains effectively split into two rival factions. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)
