Deuba Expresses Confidence in Supreme Court Ruling, Accuses Thapa Faction of Blocking Congress Legitimacy

Kathmandu, September 9. Nepali Congress outgoing President Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will deliver justice to his faction in the ongoing dispute over the party’s official status.

Speaking at a discussion program organized by the Nepali Congress Bhaktapur on the occasion of the 133rd BP Memorial Day on Wednesday, Deuba said he believed his faction would retain the party’s tree election symbol and four-star flag after the Supreme Court granted permission to review the case.

Deuba claimed that the court’s decision to grant permission for a review represented more than half of their victory. He said he remained confident that the Supreme Court would deliver justice, regardless of the efforts made by the opposing faction.

Accuses Thapa Faction of Blocking Official Status

Deuba alleged that the faction led by Gagan Thapa was making various efforts to secure the party’s official status for itself.

He said attempts were being made to prevent his faction from obtaining official recognition through the review process, but insisted that they would not accept such efforts.

Deuba also recalled that the courts had protected him during the Panchayat era, saying that this history had strengthened his faith in the judiciary.

Questions Thapa’s Special General Convention

Deuba also spoke about the special general convention called by Gagan Thapa. He said the party’s statute allows a special general convention to be called, but insisted that the delegates attending it must first be properly identified and verified.

According to Deuba, a previous special general convention held during the tenure of party president Subarna Shamsher had included full verification of delegates. He alleged that Thapa had called the convention without completing such verification.

Deuba expressed dissatisfaction that the convention had been called without informing him, despite his being the party president at the time.

Criticizes Election Commission Decision

Deuba also discussed the legal dispute that followed the special general convention. He said his faction had filed a case at the Election Commission and alleged that the commission’s then acting chief had taken the decision citing a threat to his life.

Deuba criticized the decision, claiming that the official had acted out of fear. He said his faction later approached the Supreme Court for a review after the dispute remained unresolved.

Deuba reiterated his belief that the Supreme Court would deliver justice and claimed that his faction remained in a strong position in the dispute over the Nepali Congress’s official status.