No factions left in Congress now, says chair Thapa, as voting for new leadership set for Thursday

Nepali Congress chair Gagan Kumar Thapa has declared that all factions and groups within the party have ended. Speaking at the closing session of the closed-door sitting of the 15th General Convention held at Khula Manch in Kathmandu on Wednesday, he urged that no one distribute voting 'chits' in his name.

Thapa said the contribution made to the party by outgoing chair Sher Bahadur Deuba could not be forgotten. Saying they were unhappy that not all leaders could take part in the convention, he said, 'Our seniors should have been on this stage too.' He called on leaders from the establishment-opposing faction to stop resorting to the courts and to unite instead. The closed-door session also passed a proposal on contemporary issues presented by Vice-chair Bishwa Prakash Sharma.

Chair candidate Kishore Singh Rathour withdrew his candidacy and extended his support to Thapa. Another candidate, Shyam Krishna Khadgi, said on Wednesday that his candidacy still stood.

Voting for the new Central Working Committee will take place from 10am to 5pm on Thursday. A total of 7,255 representatives attending the convention will cast votes. The election committee has designated polling centers at the National Hall, Khula Manch and Pragya Bhawan.