KATHMANDU:-  Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has warned that the controversy over the issue of the general convention within the party could lead to a situation of division.

Speaking to media persons at the party central office on Tuesday, he warned that a situation of party division could arise if the party central committee meeting fails to decide on a regular or special general convention.

Stating that 55 percent of the delegates have signed a petition demanding a special general convention within the party, leader Koirala also said that there is a possibility of a split in the Congress from the day the process of verifying the signatures begins.

“There are 55 percent of friends who are demanding a special general convention. There is a possibility of division from the day the signature verification begins,” he said. “Even if we reach only 40 percent and go to the general convention, there will still be division. It was seen that the remaining 60 percent would be divided.”

He said that the Central Committee meeting should draw conclusions.

Although there is no doubt that the general convention will be held on the strength of a majority of signatures, he emphasized that decisions regarding the general convention should be taken from the central committee meeting itself to preserve party unity.

“I believe that if the decision is made by the Central Committee meeting itself, then we should make a decision based on that, as they will be 100 percent in favor of the General Convention,” he said. “There is no room for doubt that 55 percent of the signatures have been received. It is binding. But we have sought a decision from the central committee meeting so that the party does not go towards division.”