Nepali Congress leadership dispute returns to Supreme Court

The Nepali Congress party faces a renewed leadership challenge as a dispute over legitimacy has landed back in the Supreme Court. A review petition, filed by former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka and other leaders, seeks to overturn a previous verdict that affirmed the Election Commission's recognition of a faction led by Gagan Kumar Thapa.

The petition was filed by leaders aligned with former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, as the party gears up for its general convention. This marks the second instance of the leadership conflict reaching the nation's highest court. Arjun Koirala, spokesperson for the Supreme Court, confirmed the petition's registration after a preliminary review, though a hearing date remains unassigned.

Previously, on April 17, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission's decision to recognize the Thapa-led faction. The Deuba faction, however, contends that the ruling contains legal errors and is now asking for a review. The new petition will be considered by a three-member bench, which will first determine if a review is warranted. If approved, the case will proceed to a full hearing; otherwise, the April verdict will stand.

In its earlier judgment, Justices Sharanga Subedi and Nripdhwoj Niraula found the Election Commission's decision lawful, validating the legitimacy of the working committee elected through that convention and all subsequent decisions. The current working committee, headed by Thapa, was elected at a special general convention in January. Following the Election Commission's formal recognition, the Deuba faction challenged the decision in court. Earlier, on January 20, a single bench had refused to issue an interim order to suspend the commission's decision, instead directing respondents to submit written responses and allowing the Thapa-led committee to continue functioning.

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the petition was registered after a preliminary review.