Nepali Congress Faction Begins Preparations for 15th General Convention in November

Kathmandu: The dissident faction of the Nepali Congress has stepped up preparations to hold the party’s 15th General Convention on November 21, 22 and 23, 2026, in Kathmandu. The move comes amid an ongoing dispute over the legitimacy of the party’s Central Working Committee, which is currently under consideration by the Supreme Court.

The 15th General Convention Preparatory Committee, led by Deepak Prasad Kuinkel, issued a statement on Friday announcing the proposed convention schedule. According to the committee, ward-level conventions are scheduled for October 15, while preparations for various levels of the convention are being accelerated. Kuinkel claimed that the Central Working Committee elected by the 14th General Convention has a constitutional obligation to conduct the 15th General Convention.

The committee said its decisions were made in accordance with the directives of the national gathering/convention held on August 14, 15 and 16, followed by meetings of the 15th General Convention Preparatory Committee on September 2 and 3. It has also decided to deploy central representatives to all 77 districts and form convention preparation committees for districts, federal constituencies, provincial assembly constituencies, local levels and wards by September 19.

The latest move has intensified the dispute between the establishment and non-establishment factions over the legitimacy of the convention and the party’s official leadership. While the dissident faction has announced a November schedule, the establishment side has already objected to the move, arguing that the issue of the Central Working Committee’s legitimacy is still sub judice. The party had earlier begun preparations under a separate schedule for holding the 15th General Convention from October 16 to 19.