KATHMANDU, Aug 19: The Nepal Tarun Dal, the sister wing of the Nepali Congress (NC), has released its schedule for the fifth general convention.
All major affiliated organizations of the NC, including the Tarun Dal, have not held their general conventions for years. While the mother party has shown only formal interest in organizing these conventions, the Tarun Dal has now released its schedule for the upcoming general convention amid allegations that the party has shown little real concern for holding them.
In recent years, the party’s major affiliated organizations, including the Tarun Dal have not held their conventions. While the mother party has shown only formal interest in organizing these events, the Tarun Dal has now publicly announced its schedule.
The convention is planned from upcoming December 12-14, though the venue has not been specified. The schedule states that membership distribution and ward and municipality-level conventions should be completed by August 31, while approval of district and regional representatives is also expected by mid-September.
Provincial and federal electoral area conventions are to be held by November 6, with all seven provincial conventions concluded by November 26. However, senior party leaders note that ongoing factional disputes within the mother party make it unlikely that the convention will actually take place.
Even in the past, although conventions were promised, they could not be held. Tarun Dal leaders stated, “Such efforts continue merely to retain positions. Even party leaders are not keen on holding the general convention.” The mother party, the NC, has repeatedly extended the terms of its affiliated organizations, including the Nepal Student Union (NSU), Nepal Tarun Dal, Nepal Women’s Association, and Nepal Dalit Association, yet conventions have not taken place. To ensure these delayed conventions are held, the party itself formed a central steering committee, but it has still not been able to create a clear framework or policy for conducting the conventions.
On December 12, the NC central committee meeting formed a steering committee including party leaders to complete the conventions of all affiliated organizations by mid-April. According to this, the central steering committee was formed under the leadership of: deputy general secretaries of NC, Mahalaxmi Upadhyay (Tarun Dal), deputy general secretary Jeevan Pariyar ( Dalit Association), Kishor Singh Rathore (NSU) and Prakash Sharan Mahat (Women’s Association), Ramesh Rijal (Farmers’ Federation), NP Saud (Ex-Servicemen’s Association), Mohan Bahadur Basnet (Democratic Sports Association), Madhu Acharya (Disability Association), Uday Shamsher Rana (Tharu Association), and Govind Pokharel (Democratic Fighters’ Association). Despite the efforts of these committees, they have yet to succeed in organizing the conventions.
As a result, the NSU has not held a general convention since 2073 BS, the Nepal Tarun Dal since 2072 BS, the Nepal Women’s Association since 2073 BS, and the Nepal Dalit Association 2069 BS. Similarly, the Nepal Farmers’ Federation, established in December 2007, has still not been able to hold a convention.”
The NSU last held a convention in 2016, Nepal Tarun Dal in 2015, Nepal Women’s Association in 2016, and Nepal Dalit Association in 2012. Similarly, the Nepal Farmers’ Federation, established in 2064 BS, has still not conducted a convention.
The Nepal Tharu Association and the Democratic Sports Association have never held a convention since their formation. The NC currently has 13 affiliated organizations, 26 well-wisher groups, and 37 overseas liaison committees.