KATHMANDU: Former acting president of the Nepali Congress, Purna Bahadur Khadka, has described the Supreme Court’s decision to allow a review of the party’s official-status dispute as the “final opportunity” to unite the party.

In an appeal posted on social media Sunday, Khadka said he was deeply concerned by comments and exchanges among party leaders and activists on social media during the three days since the Supreme Court granted permission to review the case.

Khadka said the country’s national interests were under pressure, the democratic constitution was facing conspiracies and the Nepali Congress was in one of the weakest and most difficult periods in its history. He said the party’s complete unity must therefore be its immediate priority.

He called on party leaders to promote tolerance, sensitivity and coexistence and to work through dialogue and consensus to strengthen unity. He also urged senior leaders to set aside personal ambitions, ego, arrogance, resentment and frustration and take decisive steps toward reconciliation.

Khadka made a special appeal to party president Gagan Thapa, urging him to take the lead immediately in efforts to restore unity within the party.

He said other party leaders and members would support the initiative, but argued that the decisive responsibility rests with Thapa.

Khadka also urged party members to stop social-media disputes, abuse and mutual accusations. “If the nation survives, multiparty democracy and the party will survive,” he said, warning that continued internal conflict and division could ultimately destroy everything the party has built.