Deuwa faction speeds up separate convention plans, launches new website

The faction led by outgoing Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuwa has accelerated preparations for a separate 15th convention, distinct from the establishment faction led by Gagan Thapa.

According to the Convention Preparation Committee, coordinated by former general secretary Shashank Koirala, ward conventions will be held on Asoj 15, and the central convention will take place from Mangsir 21 to 23.

The Thapa faction, meanwhile, already held its ward conventions on Asoj 3 and 4, in which leaders and cadres of the Deuwa faction did not participate.

The Deuwa faction has also launched a separate website called "NC15 General Convention.com," through which membership applications can be submitted.

Kiran Raj Sharma Poudel, coordinator of the Active Membership Management Committee, has submitted membership details up to Asoj 9 to Ekraj Pokharel, coordinator of the Election Committee.

According to Poudel, the total number of active members is about 784,000.

Under the new criteria, each ward will elect at least 21 and at most 75 regional representatives.

Wards with up to 150 active members will get 21 representatives, while wards with more than 651 members will get 75.

Group representation has been reserved for women, youth, persons with disabilities, conflict victims and families of martyrs, among others.

Every ward is required to have at least one woman and one male youth representative under the age of 40.