Nepali Congress Ward Conventions Face Delays and Lack of Enthusiasm

Kathmandu. The ward convention of the Nepali Congress, considered the foundation of its 15th General Convention, has been ongoing since October 3. Although the date was set for October 3 and 4, over 300 wards are yet to hold their conventions, informed Prem Bahadur Khadka, coordinator of the Central Election Committee. “Preliminary data shows that conventions are yet to be held in 300 wards,” Coordinator Khadka told Ratopati. “Ward conventions have been completed in 70 districts. Districts affected by the Bhote Koshi flood are yet to hold them. There are some disputes in the Terai region.” However, the enthusiasm, competition, and massive crowds seen in past Congress General Conventions are somewhat subdued this time. From the party's central office in Sanepa to the wards in the districts, the issue of ‘unanimous selection’ is being discussed this time. But, whether this unanimous selection has conveyed a message of unity in the party or if the convention has become ‘dull’ in the absence of influential leaders, leaders have differing opinions. Coordinator Khadka of the Central Election Committee says, “The ward conventions of the party, as always, have been unanimous in most places this time. Elections have been held in only a few places.” He stated that he has been informed that the remaining few wards will also be completed by tomorrow. Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, affected by the Bhote Koshi flood, and 8 districts in the Terai region appear to have disputes. Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise considers the unanimous selection of the working committee and regional representatives in the ward conventions as a “positive way to reduce disputes in the party and move forward together.” He tells Ratopati, “Not all places have been unanimous; elections have also been held. In my home district of Kaski, elections have been held in some places and unanimous selection in others. This is a beautiful practice of democracy.” Despite the claims of enthusiasm, the convention's scene cannot hide the ‘dullness’ seen among the cadres. The enthusiasm seen in the unhealthy competition for regional representatives and ward working committees in the past is not reflected in the current level of activity among the cadres. The convention appears somewhat dull because former President Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala's groups did not participate. Spokesperson Chalise indirectly admits this. He says, “The leadership is holding talks and dialogues to forge consensus until the General Convention.” The Deuba faction, on the other hand, has brought out a parallel schedule for the General Convention. The Deuba group has brought out a schedule to start the ward conventions from October 15. As the cadres of both factions are focused only on programs close to them, the entire spectrum of Congress does not seem to be included. The ‘parallel’ convention manifestos and statements seen on social media appear to have psychologically divided the Congress's lower-level organization. Cadres say, “Is this not a precursor to the party splitting?” While spokesperson Chalise calls unanimous selection a practice of democracy, political analysts consider it a result of ‘factional setting’. Cadres say, “When top leaders themselves give instructions for unanimous selection to save their factions, the right to choose for lower-level cadres is snatched away.” “Where is the enthusiasm, where is the democracy when there is no competition?” The current Congress convention clearly shows two streams. There is concern in Congress whether these two streams will tear Congress apart in the upcoming elections. If the meeting point of top leaders is not sought, such ‘unanimous’ ward-level conventions are doing more to kill the cadres' enthusiasm than to strengthen Congress. Sandeep Parajuli, a member of the Congress from Nawalparasi West, says that the two conventions have created confusion among the lower-level leaders and cadres. “Leaders at the center are talking about holding parallel conventions, and there is confusion among the cadres in the districts about what to do,” Parajuli told Ratopati.