KATHMANDU: The establishment faction of the Nepali Congress has warned of launching nationwide protests if it is not granted official recognition by the Election Commission.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Friday, Acting Party President Purna Bahadur Khadka said that the group would escalate its movement from the ward level to the central level if the Election Commission makes a decision contrary to the party statute and the Constitution under pressure or conspiracy.

He asserted that only the Central Working Committee has the authority to convene any general convention or special convention, and claimed that his faction remains the legitimate and official leadership of the party.

“If the Election Commission, under conspiracy or pressure, makes an unconstitutional and undemocratic decision that goes against our party statute, the Constitution, and existing laws, we will have no option but to launch a nationwide movement,” Khadka said. “We will march forward across the country carrying the Nepali Congress flag and the tree symbol. We are not saying the Commission will necessarily do so, but we are expressing our concerns based on prevailing doubts, mistrust, and circulating misinformation.”

The Nepali Congress has remained divided since a special general convention held in Kathmandu at the end of Poush (mid-January) elected a new central committee. The establishment faction and the special convention faction are currently locked in a legal and political battle for legitimacy.

Reiterating his stance, Khadka said that the party statute grants the Central Working Committee exclusive authority to organize any form of convention or general assembly. He clarified that no individual office-bearer or member has the right to call a special general convention independently.

He further explained that although the statute allows a special convention to be demanded if 40 percent of the general convention representatives submit a formal request, the term “center” clearly refers to the Central Working Committee and the central office—not individual leaders.

Khadka also claimed that the party had decided to hold a regular general convention last Mangsir (November–December), but it could not be organized due to the failure of then General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma to complete necessary preparatory tasks.

He added that although the Central Committee had initiated procedures to address the demands of the special convention supporters, the former general secretaries failed to fulfill their responsibilities accordingly.

“The Nepali Congress statute clearly states that only the Central Working Committee has the authority to convene any type of convention or general convention. No other office-bearer or body has been granted such power,” he said. “This is clearly mentioned in various clauses of our statute and regulations.”

Khadka also said that after the regular general convention scheduled for Mangsir could not be held, the party had decided to organize it in the coming Baisakh (April–May).

He further claimed that the decision made by the Central Executive Committee on Poush 15 (Dec 30) had already rendered the justification for a special convention invalid.