"effectively split"

#13204072

16 January 2026

Former acting Nepali Congress President Purna Bahadur Khadka (center in brown cap) addresses the media following the decision of the Election Commission 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204073

16 January 2026

Prakash Sharan Mahat, the former Finance Minister, is escorted by a group of cadres outside the Election Commission 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13203988

16 January 2026

Pradip Paudel, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, arrives at the Election Commission in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026, to claim the legitimacy of the party after the second special general convention. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13203993

16 January 2026

Leaders from the Gagan Kumar Thapa faction within the Nepali Congress attend a meeting with the Election Commission officials after the commencement of the special general convention of the party in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204000

16 January 2026

Pradip Paudel, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, attends a meeting with Election Commission officials in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026, to claim the legitimacy of the party after the second special general convention. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204005

16 January 2026

Leaders from the Gagan Kumar Thapa faction within the Nepali Congress attend a meeting with the Election Commission officials after the commencement of the special general convention of the party in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204010

16 January 2026

Pradip Paudel, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, attends a meeting with Election Commission officials in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026, to claim the legitimacy of the party after the second special general convention. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204019

16 January 2026

Bishwo Prakash Sharma, Deputy President of the Nepali Congress, gestures as he arrives at the Election Commission in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026, to attend a meeting with the officials of the electoral body to stake claims over the party ownership. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. The leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204023

16 January 2026

Leaders from the Gagan Kumar Thapa faction within the Nepali Congress attend a meeting with the Election Commission officials after the commencement of the special general convention of the party in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204026

16 January 2026

Leaders from the Gagan Kumar Thapa faction within the Nepali Congress attend a meeting with the Election Commission officials after the commencement of the special general convention of the party in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204029

16 January 2026

Leaders from the Gagan Kumar Thapa faction within the Nepali Congress attend a meeting with the Election Commission officials after the commencement of the special general convention of the party in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204041

16 January 2026

Bishwo Prakash Sharma, Deputy President of the Nepali Congress, shakes hands with supporters as he exits the Election Commission in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026, staking claim over the party ownership. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204045

16 January 2026

Bishwo Prakash Sharma, Deputy President of the Nepali Congress, shakes hands with supporters as he exits the Election Commission in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026, staking claim over the party ownership. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until the morning of January 15. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. Leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204051

16 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress stage a demonstration outside the Election Commission in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until January 15 morning. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. The leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204065

16 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress stage a demonstration outside the Election Commission in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until January 15 morning. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. The leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#13204068

16 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress stage a demonstration outside the Election Commission in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 2026. The Election Commission decides to grant official recognition to the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa. A meeting of the Commission concludes that the faction headed by Thapa is the legitimate Nepali Congress. With this decision, the party's election symbol, the tree, and the four-star flag formally go to the Thapa-led faction. The decision effectively transfers the party's legacy to Thapa, who is elected party president through the second special general convention held from January 11 until January 15 morning. The convention, organized in Kathmandu, declares Thapa as the new party chief. The leaders and cadres from both the Gagan Thapa-led and Sher Bahadur Deuba-led factions appear before the Election Commission to present their respective claims and arguments. Following the decision, supporters of both factions gather outside the Commission's office. While Thapa's supporters celebrate the ruling, cadres aligned with Deuba stage protests and chant slogans, expressing dissatisfaction with the decision. 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.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.