Election Commission Recognizes Gagan Thapa–Led Nepali Congress

The Election Commission has officially recognized the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa as the legitimate party, ending days of uncertainty over the party’s internal dispute.

A meeting of the Commission on Friday concluded that the Thapa-led faction holds official status, granting it ownership of the party’s election symbol ‘tree’ and the four-star flag. With the decision, the party’s legacy and official authority have formally shifted to Thapa, who was elected party president through the second special general convention held in Kathmandu from January 11 to Thursday morning.

Earlier on Friday, leaders and representatives from both the Gagan Thapa-led faction and the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led faction appeared before the Election Commission to present their claims. Following the verdict, Thapa’s supporters celebrated outside the Commission’s office, while cadres aligned with Deuba staged protests and raised slogans against the decision. Security around the Commission premises was subsequently tightened.

The decision came amid strong warnings from the Deuba faction. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s central office in Sanepa earlier in the day, acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka had threatened nationwide protests if the Commission denied recognition to their side.

The rift within the Nepali Congress intensified after a special general convention was convened without the consent of party president Sher Bahadur Deuba. The convention, held at Bhrikutimandap, elected Gagan Thapa as party president. In response, the Deuba faction termed the convention illegal and expelled Thapa along with leaders Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Farmullah Mansoor.

With the Election Commission’s ruling, the long-running internal dispute has taken a decisive turn, formally placing Nepal’s oldest democratic party under new leadership.