"split second"

#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#13181842

11 January 2026

Nepali Congress cadres attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. Acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181843

11 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma assert that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders supporting the convention state that over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute includes a provision that mandates the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of new leadership.

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#13181844

11 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma assert that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders supporting the convention state that over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute includes a provision that mandates the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of new leadership.

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#13181845

11 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma assert that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders supporting the convention state that over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute includes a provision that mandates the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of new leadership.

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#13181846

11 January 2026

Cadres of the Nepali Congress attend the opening ceremony of the special convention of the party organized in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event involves active participation from general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony in protest. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, takes place against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma assert that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders supporting the convention state that over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute includes a provision that mandates the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of new leadership.

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#13181847

11 January 2026

Binod Chaudhary, Nepal's only billionaire, addresses the opening ceremony of the special convention of the Nepali Congress in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates participate. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181848

11 January 2026

Bishwa Prakash Sharma, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, addresses the inaugural session of the special convention in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction, led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181849

11 January 2026

Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, addresses the inaugural session of the special convention in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181850

11 January 2026

Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, addresses the inaugural session of the special convention in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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#13181851

11 January 2026

Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, addresses the inaugural session of the special convention in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026. The two-day event is organized with the active involvement of General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. The acting party president and other senior party members abstain from the opening ceremony, protesting against it. The second special general convention, called by Thapa and Sharma, is held against the backdrop of a deepening intra-party dispute. The establishment faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba opposes the convention, arguing it could split the party, and instead pushes for the regular general convention scheduled for May. Thapa and Sharma maintain that the convention is demanded by 2,488 elected representatives, more than 54 percent of the total. Leaders backing the convention say over 60 percent of elected delegates are participating. The Congress statute has a provision that makes it mandatory for the party leadership to call a special general convention if at least 40 percent of the party's elected general convention representatives demand it. A petition signed by 53 percent of the Nepali Congress general convention representatives is submitted at the party headquarters in mid-October, seeking a special general convention and election of a new leadership.

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