KAILALI:- Most of the leaders and activists who addressed the Deuba faction’s Far west meeting held in Dhangadhi on Sunday have expressed anger towards party president Gagan Thapa. They have accused President Thapa of being the main reason for the split of the Nepali Congress.

The central members and district presidents elected from the 14th general convention present at the program had alleged that an attempt was being made to weaken the party through a special general convention while preparations were underway for the 15th regular general convention.

Leader NP Saud had said that it was the responsibility of President Thapa to coordinate with the leaders who did not attend the special general convention for reconciliation in the party. “Establish coordination and unity among the friends who did not attend the special convention,” said Saud, the chief guest of the gathering, “Do not further dispute about active membership.”

He said that the party’s statute has already stipulated the procedure for disciplinary action if an active member violates discipline, and that there is no need to bring up the issue of membership renewal now.

Leader Saud said that the 15th General Convention can be organized effectively only after unity and coordination between those who participated in the special convention and those who disagreed.

Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, said that the program had to be held in the Far West without Deuba. Lekhak said that the need of the hour is for the party to move forward unitedly. Lekhak said that party unity should be maintained in a way that maintains the impartiality of the 15th General Convention.

‘We expect that President Gagan Thapa will play the most important role. I would like to appeal to President Thapa – the 15th General Convention should be organized in a fair manner by adopting maximum flexibility,’ he said.

Former minister and former central member Mohan Bahadur Basnet called the signatures allegedly collected by President Thapa fake and a “total scam.” “People like this who cannot come to the party office, hold central committee meetings in hotels, and spread confusion by showing fake signatures of 1,300 rupees will disappear on their own,” he said. “I will not update active membership, and you should not do it either,” he said.

Leader Ran Bahadur Rawal said that preparations are underway for the 15th general convention. He had said that Gagan Thapa could not be accepted as the president yet.

Leader Nainsingh Mahar said that the Nepali Congress is not just an ordinary political party but a center of democracy, sacrifice, and hope for the people, and made it clear that there was no alternative to embarking on the 15th General Convention with broad unity within the party. He said that the Congress is not just an organization that wins elections but is a legacy of the movement in which thousands of people have been imprisoned, shed blood, and made sacrifices to save democracy.

Provincial President Bir Bahadur Balayar said, “We object to Thapa’s statements on party membership renewal and levy. Yesterday, when he was the general secretary, he issued a circular asking for renewal, and today, he is spreading confusion on the same issue. The party cannot run with such colorful talk,” said President Balayar. “We joined the Congress with the inspiration of Sher Bahadur Deuba. The Congress cannot run with anyone’s arrogance.”

Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah had said that party unity is the need of the day. He also inquired about Sher Bahadur Deuba’s condition, saying that the party should respect him. “The entire Nepali Congress should be united. Leaders and workers have come here for the unity of the entire Nepali Congress,” he said. “It should be clear where Sher Bahadur Deuba’s place is and where he will be respected.”

Former Chief Minister of Koshi Province Kedar Karki had accused the current President Gagan Thapa of spreading lies. He had commented that the main reason for the weakness of the Nepali Congress at present was President Thapa. He had made it clear that he was not in favor of party division and had said that he had the courage to seize the party office if necessary and had a strong presence within the party.

The program was attended by the central members of the Deuba faction elected from the 14th General Convention. Although the office bearers and members of the Special General Convention faction were also invited, their presence was not seen.