Nepali Congress Leadership Crisis
Nepali Congress faces split amid new disputes
What happened
Nepali Congress is experiencing an internal leadership crisis in July 2026, with senior leaders warning of division, rival factions gathering, and the recent death of a prominent member, raising prospects of a party split.
Timeline
House Searched
Aug 20, 14:28Police searched Durga Prasai’s house in Nikosera, Bhaktapur, over allegations that he encouraged microfinance victims to stage protests. The protest at the National Human Rights Commission office in Pulchowk was still continuing.
Twelve Demands Raised
Aug 20, 05:19During formal talks in Singha Durbar, Durga Prasai’s group presented 12 demands, including restoration of the monarchy and a Hindu state, debt relief, and dismissal of political cases. The talks are aimed at ending the group’s protest after the government formed a negotiation team.
Relocation Offer Rejected
Aug 19, 17:28The government asked protesters outside the National Human Rights Commission in Pulchowk to move to a safer location for food, shelter and medical care before talks continued. Durga Prasai’s Save Citizens Great Campaign rejected the offer and kept up its roadside protest, which had lasted six days.
Convention Work Begins
Aug 19, 00:00Nepali Congress began preparations for its 15th general convention despite the Deuba faction’s legal challenge to stop the schedule. The dispute now centers on whether lower-level conventions should proceed before the Supreme Court resolves the review petition.
Legal Challenge Planned
Aug 19, 00:00The Deuba faction said it would seek a court order to halt the convention timetable, arguing the party should wait for the Supreme Court’s review decision. Party president Gagan Kumar Thapa said he was open to a committee or mechanism to address concerns over membership, fairness and transparency.
Formal Talks Open
Aug 18, 14:01Formal talks began at Singha Durbar between the government and Durga Prasai-led campaigners over demands including monarchy restoration, a Hindu state, loan waivers, and withdrawal of cases. The campaign said the protest would end only after the cabinet approves a written agreement.
Negotiation Teams Set
Aug 18, 08:28The government and Durga Prasai’s campaign both formed formal negotiation teams to discuss the group’s demands and related citizen issues under the National Human Rights Commission’s supervision. The government named a four-member team led by Joint Secretary Lilaadhar Upreti, while the campaign named a nine-member team led by Bishnu Bohara Chhetri.
Convention Goes Ahead
Aug 18, 00:58The Gagan Thapa-led Nepali Congress faction said it would proceed with the 15th General Convention on October 2-5 despite the Deuba camp’s demand to pause it amid a Supreme Court review. The dispute deepened as both sides continued trading legal and organizational claims over party leadership.
Dialogue Team Formed
Aug 17, 18:56The Nepal government formed a four-member dialogue team to negotiate with Durga Prasai’s group after the group announced protests and demands. The panel, coordinated by Joint Secretary Liladhar Subedi, was tasked with seeking a solution through talks.
Gathering Concludes
Aug 16, 05:27The Nepali Congress’s three-day gathering concluded in Kathmandu, with representatives discussing organizational and political agendas. The closing session was set to include provincial leaders’ remarks and a press conference on the gathering’s conclusions.
Gathering Upgraded to Conference
Aug 15, 14:27The Nepali Congress establishment-fringe faction formally converted its planned Kathmandu national gathering into a conference, citing constitutional provisions and recent court decisions. The meeting is now framed around policy reform and internal strengthening rather than leadership change.
Unity Appeal at Gathering
Aug 14, 08:30Sher Bahadur Deuba called for unity and reconciliation as the Kathmandu gathering opened amid legal and ideological disputes inside the party. The article framed the meeting as a chance for renewal while criticizing leadership drift and calling for inclusive democratic socialist reforms.
National Gathering Opens
Aug 14, 05:28The Nepali Congress establishment-fringe group opened its national gathering in Kathmandu, with five reports scheduled for discussion through Sunday. The agenda covers political, organizational, economic, constitutional and contemporary policy issues.
Gathering Not Postponed
Aug 11, 08:28The Nepali Congress organizing committee said its national gathering under Dr. Shashank Koirala had not been postponed, rejecting a viral forged notice. Min Bishwakarma said the false statement was being spread after the court’s review order in the Congress authenticity case.
Convention Freeze Sought
Aug 11, 03:57The Nepali Congress dissident faction led by Shashank Koirala urged an immediate pause on all general convention-related activities after the Supreme Court granted review in a case tied to the party’s legitimacy and leadership status. The faction warned that major decisions taken during the dispute could deepen the internal crisis and trigger a constitutional problem.
Division Nears Breaking Point
Aug 11, 02:28Nepali Congress was described as being on the verge of a split as rival establishment and dissident factions held separate programs and intensified blame over internal disputes. The article said the party’s leadership conflict and repeated cycles of division had made a breakup increasingly likely.
Committee Meeting Resumes
Aug 10, 01:00The Nepali Congress Central Committee meeting was set to resume on Monday in Sanepa after key issues remained unresolved on Sunday. The agenda includes preparations for the 15th General Convention, membership updates and convention and statute-drafting committees.
Convention Stays On Schedule
Aug 08, 14:29Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradip Poudel said the party’s 15th General Convention will be held in Kathmandu from October 2 to 5 as planned. He added that the central working committee will decide on keeping the convention on time and said local-level candidates will be selected through a digital process.
Amendment Warning
Aug 07, 08:28Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa warned against a casual approach to constitutional amendment, saying careless changes could deepen conflict. He said proportional inclusion can be increased but not reduced, and criticized the government’s unimplemented agreements with protesting parties.
Subcommittees Formed
Aug 06, 11:28The dissident Nepali Congress faction formed 32 subcommittees and a 551-member main organizing committee led by Dr. Shashank Koirala to prepare for its Kathmandu national gathering. Coordinators were assigned across policy, organization, publicity, finance, health, and provincial coordination.
Membership Rules Disputed
Aug 05, 14:27Nepali Congress leaders deepened their dispute over digital membership renewal and the structure of the next general convention. The establishment and dissident camps also clashed over whether existing committees should be merged into an organizing committee.
Breakaway Faction Organized
Aug 05, 03:43A dissident Nepali Congress faction named Shashank Koirala to lead preparations for a new party and scheduled a three-day national gathering in Kathmandu for August 14 to 16. The move signaled a more concrete push toward a formal split if reconciliation fails.
Strife Peaks in Party
Aug 02, 14:28Nepali Congress was reported to be in intense internal conflict, with disputes over the special general convention and an upcoming central committee meeting. Former president Sher Bahadur Deuba and Dr. Shekhar Koirala’s camp opposed the special general convention and announced a National Gathering in Kathmandu, while youth leaders and elected local representatives held separate gatherings for party unity.
Gathering Committee Formed
Aug 01, 10:08The dissident Nepali Congress faction formed a main organising committee for its August 14 national gathering and named Shashank Koirala as coordinator. The group said it would register a new party if unity talks fail.
Death of Senior Leader Gopalman Shrestha
Jul 28, 11:28Congress leader Gopalman Shrestha, who was to be appointed a senior leader by President Gagan Thapa, died while undergoing treatment for stomach cancer at age 83, raising concerns amid the leadership crisis.
Internal Dispute Deepens
Jul 24, 14:27The Nepali Congress’ internal conflict intensified as President Gagan Thapa launched the 'NC for NC' campaign while an opposing faction kept planning a separate national gathering. The competing moves signaled a wider power struggle and rising risk of a party split.
Establishment Faction Gathering
Jul 23, 08:27A Sher Bahadur Deuba- and Shekhar Koirala-led faction announced a national gathering in Kathmandu starting Shrawan 29 to push the party in a new direction amid internal disputes. The plan included early meetings to set agendas, participants, and responsibilities.
Threat of Formal Party Split
Jul 23, 04:37The Nepali Congress edged closer to a formal split as a dissident faction announced a National Conclave for August 14 in Kathmandu, criticizing President Gagan Thapa's unilateral leadership.
BP Day Split Display
Jul 23, 01:26Rival Nepali Congress factions held separate events on BP Memorial Day, underscoring the party’s internal divide. Leaders loyal to Sher Bahadur Deuba also said they could form a new party if reconciliation fails.
Split Warning Escalates
Jul 22, 14:28Nepali Congress factions warned the party could split if President Gagan Thapa does not adopt a more inclusive leadership style ahead of the 15th General Convention. Sher Bahadur Deuba and Shekhar Koirala also backed calls to unify the 14th General Convention and Special General Convention structures.
Warning of New Political Path
Jul 22, 11:28Leader Bimalendra Nidhi warned the Nepali Congress leadership to resolve internal disputes or risk taking a new political path, emphasizing unity based on key demands and criticizing President Gagan Thapa's leadership.
Rival Faction Plans National Gathering
Jul 19, 21:57A rival faction within the Nepali Congress announced plans to hold a national gathering in Kathmandu by mid-August 2026, calling for a regular general convention amid ongoing disputes.
Coalition Government Stability
Jul 16, 12:56The Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), and Nepali Communist Party agreed to continue their coalition government in Madhesh Province under Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav despite broader party conflicts.
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