Nepali Congress Prepares for Massive 15th General Convention Amid Internal Reform Pressure

The convention was postponed by two days because of natural disasters, moving from the originally planned Asoj 16 start to Asoj 18; the opening ceremony is set for Kathmandu’s Tundikhel.
Organizers said more than 50,000 young people and over 7,000 representatives were expected, and that representation on the central committee had, for the first time, been opened to people under 35, democracy fighters, laborers, professional groups and Nepalis living abroad.
Spokesperson Devraj Chalise said party modernization—including updating the organization after elections, adopting digital participation and undertaking structural reforms—had become politically controversial and left the convention organizers under time pressure.
Delegates were to pay a registration fee of 3,500 rupees, and organizers arranged representative accommodation through coordinators at constituency, district and provincial levels, with details to be sent by WhatsApp, an AI number and SMS.
Nepal's Nepali Congress party is convening its 15th General Convention in Kathmandu, drawing over 7,000 delegates to reshape party leadership and modernize its structure. Ratopati reported the convention began at Khulamanch, a historic venue closed for a decade, with the formal inauguration at 2:00 PM followed by closed-door sessions. The gathering comes after a two-day postponement due to natural disasters and aims to elect new party leaders, amend party rules, and set organizational direction.
Party spokesperson Devraj Chalise emphasized the convention must tackle modernization efforts—including digital participation and structural reforms—that have become politically controversial. For the first time, the party opened central committee representation to people under 35, democracy fighters, laborers, and Nepalis living abroad, signaling a shift toward broader inclusion and generational change.
The Nepali Congress postponed its convention by two days due to recent natural disasters in Nepal, moving the start from Asoj 16 to Asoj 18. Nepalnews reported the formal inauguration occurred at Khulamanch in Kathmandu. The party limited publicity efforts and urged candidates to campaign digitally given the emergency conditions affecting the country.
Over 7,000 representatives from across Nepal are participating in the convention to elect party leaders by ballot and debate proposed amendments to party statutes. Ratopati confirmed delegates will hear policy and leadership reports during the closed sessions. Attendees paid a registration fee of 3,500 rupees, with organizers coordinating accommodation through constituency, district, and provincial coordinators using WhatsApp, an AI number, and SMS for communication.
The convention centers on modernizing the Nepali Congress following recent elections and implementing structural reforms. Party spokesperson Devraj Chalise said these modernization efforts—including adopting digital participation tools and updating organizational structures—had become "politically controversial" and created time pressure for organizers. The party is using digital tools for convention proceedings and information sharing to streamline the process.
Khulamanch, a historic venue in Kathmandu, has been reopened to host the convention after remaining closed for a decade. Khojsamachar reported the party named convention halls after Nepal's major geographic regions—Himal, Pahad, and Tarai-Madhesh—reflecting the country's geographic diversity. This venue choice symbolizes the party's commitment to inclusive representation and historic continuity during a period of significant organizational change.
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