Gagan Thapa faces no declared challenger for NC presidency

KATHMANDU: With the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention just days away, Gagan Thapa appears to have consolidated support for the party presidency, while competition is intensifying for other key leadership positions.

Thapa is set to lead preparations for the party’s 15th General Convention, scheduled to be held in Kathmandu from October 4-8, 2026. With the convention only a few days away, preparations are gathering momentum, while several party leaders say they see no immediate alternative to Thapa for the presidency.

The leadership transition, generational change and organizational revitalization campaign that preceded the special general convention in December 2082 brought together leaders from different factions of the Nepali Congress. General Secretaries Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Gagan Thapa had spearheaded the campaign for leadership transition and generational change.

Since then, several leaders who attended the special convention alongside Thapa have joined his camp. Some leaders who had previously been associated with former President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s faction and supported a different side during the special convention have also moved closer to Thapa ahead of the regular general convention.

With around four days remaining before the 15th General Convention, no other leader has publicly declared a candidacy for the post of party president. However, leaders have continued to announce their candidacies for the posts of vice president, general secretary and other positions.

Min Bishwakarma, who was previously associated with former President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s faction and is now involved in preparations for the convention alongside Thapa, said no leader other than the incumbent president had so far claimed the presidency.

“So far, no leader has claimed the position of president. The current president is being viewed as the presidential candidate. However, there are still four days remaining before the General Convention, so it is too early to make a definitive statement,” Bishwakarma said. He added that preparations for the 15th General Convention were progressing.

Another Congress leader, Mahalaxmi Upadhyay Dina, also said she did not see a need for an alternative to Thapa. She said there was greater competition for other office-bearer positions but claimed that Thapa had emerged as the preferred choice for the presidency.

“There is greater competition for other positions, but there is a clear understanding regarding the leadership. The assessment among many is that no other leader can currently understand the aspirations of the grassroots as closely as Gagan Thapa,” Upadhyay said.

She added that this did not mean other leaders were incapable, but argued that many party members believed the Congress would benefit from Thapa continuing in the leadership.

Leaders associated with Thapa, including Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma, Vice President Pushpa Bhusal, General Secretary Pradeep Poudel and General Secretary Guru Ghimire, have also publicly indicated that Thapa is likely to retain the party’s top position at the upcoming convention.

“There has not been a formal contest so far, but in my assessment, no other leader is preparing to claim the presidency. Whether through an election or consensus, Gagan Thapa is likely to become the next president,” General Secretary Pradeep Poudel said.