The internal war within Nepal’s Nepali Congress reaches a judicial climax, as Sher Bahadur Deuba’s camp petitions the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s controversial leadership pick. Gagan Thapa’s faction gained official stamp after their convention, igniting Deuba’s fierce backlash.
Both sides lobbied the Commission aggressively. Thapa’s SGC-elected panel, held sans Deuba’s green light, won approval Friday, leading Deuba’s group to brand it illegal under constitutional and party norms.
Saturday’s strategy session greenlit acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka for urgent Supreme Court action, slamming the Commission’s hasty, evidence-blind call. Legal experts anticipate a swift hearing given election timelines.
Thapa’s team, meanwhile, rallied for pre-poll harmony. Their central committee meet, per spokesperson Devraj Chalise, prioritized worker unity and floated Deuba for a mentor role to bridge divides before March 5 voting.
Deuba faces a ticking clock: FPTP nominations close January 20. No interim relief spells doom, letting Thapa claim 165 constituency slots while PR lists sit finalized.
Nepal’s legislature balances 165 FPTP with 110 PR seats for 275 total. This schism risks diluting the party’s strength, inviting rival gains. As courts convene, Nepal watches whether justice restores order or prolongs chaos in its pivotal opposition force.