Gagan Thapa-Led Nepali Congress Moves Ahead with Candidate Selection Amid Recognition Uncertainty

With the Election Commission yet to decide on official party recognition, the Gagan Thapa-led Nepali Congress has already begun selecting candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives polls.

A senior party official said the leadership elected through the special general convention has formed a parliamentary board to start the process.  The candidate selection will follow a three-stage process: first, listing candidates chosen by consensus; second, reviewing candidates without disputes; and third, discussing constituencies where disagreements exist to prepare a shortlist.

President Gagan Thapa and Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma will review the shortlist and prepare a preliminary list, which will be finalized by the parliamentary board. The party expects the initial candidate list to be ready by tomorrow noon, with constituency-level decisions following the afternoon meeting.

The House of Representatives election is set for March 5, 2026, with candidate filing beginning on January 20.