KATHMANDU, June 30: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Shekhar Koirala has vented his frustration at party President Sher Bahadur Deuba and the current leadership’s working style, raising several pressing questions.
Speaking at the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of NC held at the party’s central office in Sanepa on Monday, Dr Koirala demanded clear and satisfactory answers from the party president and office bearers. His questions revolved around the uncertainty surrounding the party's upcoming general convention, the ambiguous alliance policy, alleged misconduct by the disciplinary committee and the neglected state of the party’s sister organizations.
Dr Koirala hinted that he would no longer remain silent, accusing the leadership of misinterpreting his patience and efforts toward party unity after the 14th General Convention as weakness. He reiterated his stance that the party's 15th General Convention must be held in December 2025. “I remain firm: the general convention must be held in December, 2025,” he said. “If it cannot be held on time, then the president and office bearers must provide a convincing explanation as to why not.”
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Dr Koirala also questioned the leadership over the lack of a clear policy regarding the formation and dissolution of alliances with other parties. “In 2079 BS, we formed an alliance with the Maoist Center. Now we are in government with the UML. Why did the NC hand over leadership of the government to the UML?” he asked. “If this alliance is meant to amend the constitution, where is the clause about that in the seven-point agreement? The president must provide a satisfactory explanation.”
Dr Koirala further stated that several sister organizations of the party including Nepal Student Union, Tarun Dal, Women’s Association and Dalit Association have become completely inactive and embroiled in disputes. “The larger committees of the Nepal Student Union and Tarun Dal are unable to hold their conventions. The party should take responsibility,” he said. “The Women’s Association cannot hold its convention without renewing memberships. Who gave the authority to dissolve 42 district committees of the Dalit Association?”
Dr Koirala also drew the president’s attention to an incident in Ilam, where a man physically assaulted a woman during a Women’s Association program. He expressed sorrow that his commitment to staying away from power-sharing politics and standing for party unity was wrongly interpreted as a weakness.
“I am compelled to speak today. I remained silent to ensure party unity, so that factionalism and power-sharing wouldn’t weaken the Nepali Congress,” he added. “But my patience and decency were taken as signs of weakness.”
