NC August general convention looks uncertain

The proposed general convention of the Nepali Congress in August looks uncertain, mainly for three reasons—Coronavirus, by-elections and dispute within NC regarding the active membership.

If the present trend of COVID-19 spread continues till August, holding the convention in August will be impossible because, before the central convention, the party should hold four layers of convention—local level, district level, constituency level and provincial level. But if the virus spread continues, holding these conventions before the central convention will not be possible.

Secondly, Prime Minister Oli is planning to hold the by-elections for the vacant seats of the House of Representatives and Provincial Assemblies in September, the elections could also disturb the convention. PM Oli had already proposed to hold the by-elections in an all-party meeting held recently. He even said he would help to further postpone the NC general convention by making amendments to the existing laws.

Thirdly, NC is also eying to form a new government under its leadership and is working to table a noconfidence motion against the government. This process will also affect the convention calendar. Although the party recently finalised the issue of active membership by allowing the distribution of active membership till April 30, the two other issues are still there to make its August convention uncertain.