The Nepali Congress (NC) entered the closed-session stage of its 15th General Convention on Monday, October 5, 2026.
President Gagan Kumar Thapa is set to present his political report as the party starts the formal process of electing a new central leadership.
The convention opened on Sunday, October 4, at Khula Manch in Kathmandu. Around 7,500 to 7,700 delegates are taking part. They will discuss the party's political direction, changes to its organization and proposed changes to its statute on October 5 and 6.
Besides Thapa, Vice-President Bishwa Prakash Sharma will present a report. Party officials will bring proposals to amend the statute, and the treasurer will present a financial report. Delegates will discuss the documents in separate groups.
Thapa's report include these proposals:
- No alliances before elections
- Stronger scrutiny of the government
- Primary elections to pick candidates
- More youth participation
- Greater accountability and action against corruption
- Closer cooperation with the private sector
Changes to the party structure
The convention is also considering changes to the party's make-up. One proposal woul raise the number of office bearers from 17 to 21. The proposed Central Working Committee would have 232 members. These plans still need approval from the convention.
The party's amended rules also set aside seats for specific groups:
- At least 21 members under 35 in the Central Working Committee
- At least one-third women in party committees at different levels
- Six central positions for representatives of Nepali Public Relations Committees, giving Nepali living abroad a formal route into the central structure
Election timetable
The party's Central Election Committee has set the schedule:
October 5: The voter list is published at 5 p.m., followed by a period for objections and a final list at 8:30 p.m.
October 6: Nominations take place from 10 a.m., to 3 p.m.
October 7 :Candidates can withdraw or correct their forms, and the final candidate list comes out at 10 a.m..
October 8: Voting runs from the morning to 5 p.m., and counting begins afterward.
Polling will take place at Rastriya Sabha Griha, Khula Manch and Pragya Bhawan.
Sharma said the convention will not work through traditional factional panels. "There will be no panels," he said, adding that delegates will be free to choose candidates one by one.
Dispute with Deuba
Thapa was elected party president at a special convention in January 2026. The Election Commission recognized his leadership on January 16, and the Supreme Court upheld that recognition in April. In August, however, the court allowed a review petition filed by leaders close to former president Sher Bahadur Deuba. The legal dispute is therefore still open.Deuba did not attend Sunday's opening. His side does not accept the January convention and plans its own convention on December 7 to 9, 2026.
At the opening, Thapa spoke about Deuba's absence. "We kept a chair empty for Sher Bahadur Deuba," he said. He argues that respect for a former leader should be shown by making the party stronger and broader, not through ceremony.
With nominations and voting only days away, the closed session will show how far the party's proposed reforms go and how much support Thapa's plan gets.
