KATHMANDU: Former Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba and former Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka have separately moved the Supreme Court over the continuing dispute concerning the party’s leadership and legitimacy.
Deuba has filed a new writ petition seeking an immediate suspension of the NC’s 15th general convention. Supreme Court spokesperson Arjun Koirala confirmed that Khadka has also submitted a supplementary petition in the case.
The Gagan Thapa-led working committee, elected during the party’s special general convention, has already announced the schedule for the 15th general convention.
Deuba has requested an interim order to stop the convention preparations. Khadka has asked the court to hear his supplementary petition together with the review petition previously accepted by the Supreme Court. He has also sought an order suspending all activities related to the general convention.
Both leaders have maintained that the convention should not proceed until the Supreme Court settles the dispute over the party’s legitimate leadership and authority.
Deuba and Khadka had earlier approached the Supreme Court after the Election Commission recognised the Thapa-led working committee elected at the special general convention. The Supreme Court subsequently upheld the commission’s decision.
They then sought a review of the court’s ruling. The leadership dispute intensified after a full bench, including Chief Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, dismissed their review petition.
Despite the Supreme Court allowing a review of its earlier decision, the Thapa-led leadership has continued preparations for the 15th general convention.
