"second Statute Convention"

#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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#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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#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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#13064340

6 December 2025

Ishwar Pokharel, Senior Vice-Chair of the CPN-UML, interacts with party cadres and supporters at the party headquarters in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 6, 2025. Pokharel prepares to compete for the top post, challenging KP Sharma Oli in the upcoming general convention scheduled for December 13-15. While challenging Oli for the top post in the party, Pokharel also stresses the need to reinstate the two-term leadership limit in UML's statute and to enforce clear standards on party discipline, auditing, and organizational autonomy. The CPN-UML central committee meeting held earlier in October decides to hold its 11th general convention in the second week of December. The meeting at the time also passes the political report presented by party chair KP Sharma Oli.

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#13064341

6 December 2025

Ishwar Pokharel, Senior Vice-Chair of the CPN-UML, interacts with party cadres and supporters at the party headquarters in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 6, 2025. Pokharel prepares to compete for the top post, challenging KP Sharma Oli in the upcoming general convention scheduled for December 13-15. While challenging Oli for the top post in the party, Pokharel also stresses the need to reinstate the two-term leadership limit in UML's statute and to enforce clear standards on party discipline, auditing, and organizational autonomy. The CPN-UML central committee meeting held earlier in October decides to hold its 11th general convention in the second week of December. The meeting at the time also passes the political report presented by party chair KP Sharma Oli.

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#13064342

6 December 2025

Ishwar Pokharel, Senior Vice-Chair of the CPN-UML, interacts with party cadres and supporters at the party headquarters in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 6, 2025. Pokharel prepares to compete for the top post, challenging KP Sharma Oli in the upcoming general convention scheduled for December 13-15. While challenging Oli for the top post in the party, Pokharel also stresses the need to reinstate the two-term leadership limit in UML's statute and to enforce clear standards on party discipline, auditing, and organizational autonomy. The CPN-UML central committee meeting held earlier in October decides to hold its 11th general convention in the second week of December. The meeting at the time also passes the political report presented by party chair KP Sharma Oli.

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#13064343

6 December 2025

Ishwar Pokharel, Senior Vice-Chair of the CPN-UML, interacts with party cadres and supporters at the party headquarters in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 6, 2025. Pokharel prepares to compete for the top post, challenging KP Sharma Oli in the upcoming general convention scheduled for December 13-15. While challenging Oli for the top post in the party, Pokharel also stresses the need to reinstate the two-term leadership limit in UML's statute and to enforce clear standards on party discipline, auditing, and organizational autonomy. The CPN-UML central committee meeting held earlier in October decides to hold its 11th general convention in the second week of December. The meeting at the time also passes the political report presented by party chair KP Sharma Oli.

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#13064344

6 December 2025

Ishwar Pokharel, Senior Vice-Chair of the CPN-UML, interacts with party cadres and supporters at the party headquarters in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 6, 2025. Pokharel prepares to compete for the top post, challenging KP Sharma Oli in the upcoming general convention scheduled for December 13-15. While challenging Oli for the top post in the party, Pokharel also stresses the need to reinstate the two-term leadership limit in UML's statute and to enforce clear standards on party discipline, auditing, and organizational autonomy. The CPN-UML central committee meeting held earlier in October decides to hold its 11th general convention in the second week of December. The meeting at the time also passes the political report presented by party chair KP Sharma Oli.

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#12569725

20 July 2025

Nepali Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli (center), and Former Nepali President and leader of CPN-UML, Bidhya Devi Bhandari (left of KP Oli), walk out of the party headquarters in Lalitpur, Nepal, on July 20, 2025, after holding a one-to-one meeting. The meeting between Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister, as well as CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, occurs amid growing internal disputes within the party. After completing her two terms as President, Bhandari visits the party office after a gap of 10 years. The meeting between the two leaders occurs at a time when Oli reportedly tries to prevent Bhandari from returning to active party politics. Despite having renewed her organized membership a year ago, her membership remains pending, as declared by Oli in Saturday's politburo meeting. Former President Bhandari, who serves two terms as head of state, publicly declares her return to active UML politics during a program organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation on June 28, 2025, stating that she has already renewed her membership. Bhandari previously holds the position of vice chair in the party before becoming president. However, Oli and his close allies adopt a firm stance against allowing her reentry into the party's leadership or upcoming events, including the second Statute Convention scheduled for September 6-7, 2025. The ongoing tensions reflect deeper internal conflicts within the party over leadership control and the future direction of UML, the largest communist party of the Himalayan Nation.

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