Kathmandu: Senior leader of the Nepali Congress (NC) Ram Chandra Poudel’s faction has proposed to preserve the party’s legitimacy by holding a special general convention from the old representative. The Poudel faction has put forward such a proposal after the active membership dispute affected the general convention schedule. Party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is also the prime minister, has rejected the option and said that the central general convention will be held on scheduled date.

In a top-level meeting held on Wednesday to resolve the issue of active membership, Poudel’s faction has proposed to hold an ad hoc committee election for two years through a special general convention with the participation of the delegates of the 13th general convention. “There is no need to think of alternatives. The general convention will be held in August,” said a leader who attended the meeting, quoting Deuba.

Apart from Deuba, Joint General secretary Prakash Sharan Mahat, Poudel, former General secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Minendra Rijal were present at the meeting. The membership investigation committee had handed over the issue to the top leader after failing to resolve the dispute over the membership related to integration. As the dispute between the top leaders has escalated, there is confusion over whether the general convention will be held on time.

Stating that the party’s legitimacy would be jeopardized if it fails to hold the general convention on September 3, the Poudel faction has put forward a ‘card’ of the special general convention to prevent it. ‘The existence of this working committee will end on 23rd September. After that, we will not be involved in extending the term, “Poudel said at the meeting.