Leadership dispute deepens in Kailali Congress as acting president occupies district president’s chair
Dhangadhi: The leadership dispute within the Nepali Congress in Kailali has resurfaced, with tensions escalating between District President Narayan Datta Bhatta and supporters of Acting District President Bhim Baduwal after the latter arrived at the party office and occupied the District President’s chair.
Last Ashoj (September/October), Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradip Paudel issued a letter appointing District Vice-President Baduwal as Acting President, assigning him responsibility for overseeing the district-level conventions. The party has already completed its ward, provincial constituency, and regional conventions, culminating in the national general convention. However, district- and provincial-level conventions are yet to be held.
Bhatta was elected District President of the Kailali Nepali Congress during the party’s 14th General Convention. However, he remained aligned with the Sher Bahadur Deuba faction and refused to accept Gagan Thapa, who became party president through a special general convention. After Bhatta did not initiate the process for the 15th General Convention, the responsibility of Acting President was assigned to Vice-President Baduwal. However, Bhatta has not been formally removed from the position of District President.
On Tuesday, Acting President Baduwal arrived at the party office in Dhangadhi and called a meeting with the district secretary, regional presidents, municipal presidents, and provincial constituency presidents. The leadership dispute intensified when Baduwal took the seat reserved for the District President during the meeting.
District President Bhatta objected, alleging that Baduwal had removed his nameplate and occupied his chair. Describing the group led by Baduwal as “anarchic,” Bhatta said no official decision had been made to remove him from the presidency.
Bhatta argued that it was unethical and against the party’s rules and statutes for an acting president to occupy the president’s chair. He said that although he had repeatedly called for Gagan Thapa’s removal from the party presidency, no formal decision had been made to that effect. He also warned that he would challenge the matter both socially and legally.
Bhatta has also questioned General Secretary Pradip Paudel’s issuance of three separate letters, all dated the same day but containing different information. While one letter states that Baduwal was appointed Acting President to oversee the completion of district-level conventions, the other two do not provide any justification for the appointment.
Meanwhile, Acting President Baduwal has maintained that Bhatta should have resigned earlier on moral grounds. He argued that the president’s chair is not the private property of any individual but belongs to the party.
“The chair does not belong to any specific person; it belongs to the Nepali Congress,” Baduwal said. “How can someone who has consistently defied the Central Committee—formed through a special general convention—continue to hold the position of president?”
In Kailali, the Deuba faction has already launched a separate convention process, beginning at the ward level.
Dineshkhabar Desk