Battle for Control of Nepal’s Nepali Congress Heads to Election Commission as Gagan Thapa Faction Seeks Legitimacy

Kathmandu — With an internal dispute heating up within the Nepali Congress, the legal process to determine the party’s official status is formally beginning today.

The group aligned with last night’s special general convention is preparing to submit an application to the Election Commission today, Thursday, to update party details under Section 51 of the Political Parties Act, 2073 (Nepali calendar).

The information to be registered with the Commission comes from the “Second Special General Convention,” which began on Poush 27 at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu and concluded on Wednesday, and includes newly elected office-bearers and the central working committee.

Claiming to have fulfilled the party’s constitution and legal procedures, this faction asserts that it represents the legitimate Nepali Congress.

The special general convention elected Gagan Thapa as the party chair unopposed. If the Election Commission updates the new committee under Thapa’s leadership, this group’s legal claim over the party’s name, flag, and election symbol (tree) will be validated.

On the other hand, the establishment faction (the Deuba group) has already informed the Commission that the convention was illegal.

Section 51 of the Political Parties Act requires a political party to notify the Election Commission within 30 days of any change in the party’s name, constitution, rules, symbol, flag, or office-bearers.

Relying on this provision, Thapa’s team plans to present its claim to the Commission today. This division and the struggle over official recognition in the Nepali Congress, on the eve of upcoming elections, have stirred fresh waves in Nepali politics.