Kathmandu, Sept 23 – A signature campaign has been launched to call a special general convention of the Nepali Congress. Leaders Gururaj Ghimire, Devaraj Chalise, Narayan Bhattarai, Janakraj Giri, Rampaltan Sah and 109 convention representatives have signed and started the campaign.
The signature drive began on September 22. According to the party statute, a special general convention can be called if the central committee decides to do so or if 40 percent of convention representatives sign a petition.
Clause 17(2) of the statute states: “If the central working committee deems it necessary, or if 40 percent of the members of the general convention submit a written request stating special reasons, the special general convention must be called within three months of receiving the petition.”
As the possibility of the central committee deciding to call the convention seems slim, the initiators said they were compelled to start the campaign. Narayan Bhattarai, one of the leaders spearheading the effort, said signatures will be collected across all provinces. “This is not about one faction or another. All who support the demand for a special convention are part of this,” he said.
The signatories have also issued a statement saying that the Nepali Congress cannot remain a silent spectator in a changing political environment and difficult times. The statement questions the leadership: “Are the policies, decisions, actions and steps taken by the party in the past not responsible for the current situation?” It also accuses the leadership of sidelining and discriminating against those who question its working style.
Some sister organizations of the Congress, as well as several district and local level leaders, have also been demanding a special general convention.
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