Nepal UK
Three candidates have filed for the presidency of Nepal's largest opposition-style party as a Supreme Court review hangs over the convention itself. How the contest ends will shape opposition politics after the March 2026 election.
Three contenders (Gagan Kumar Thapa, Shyam Krishna Khadgi and Kishor Singh Rathore) submitted nominations for the presidency of the Nepali Congress on 6 October, according to Onlinekhabar, as the party's 15th General Convention reaches its leadership vote.
What is confirmed Onlinekhabar reports that Khadgi filed first, Mr Thapa at around 6.30pm and Mr Rathore last. Mr Rathore previously won the joint general secretary post at the party's 14th General Convention.
A convention under legal shadow The Kathmandu Post reported on 19 August that Mr Thapa leads the party after a special general convention in January 2026. On 6 August, a three-justice bench allowed a review petition by the camp of former chief Sher Bahadur Deuba against an 17 April ruling that had upheld the Election Commission's recognition of Mr Thapa's leadership. The Deuba camp said it would challenge the convention process; its leader Prakash Sharan Mahat is quoted saying that holding the convention under Mr Thapa's leadership "would strengthen party unity and respect the court". Mr Thapa's side proceeded regardless, deploying 85 election officers across 77 districts.
Why it matters beyond the party The Rastriya Swatantra Party, led by Prime Minister Balen Shah, won a majority in the March 2026 election, according to Wikipedia's summary of the cabinet (a secondary source). The Congress's choice of leader therefore decides who anchors opposition scrutiny of the government. A contested result could also prolong court proceedings and internal division, as the UML's own post-defeat tensions show: its chair, KP Sharma Oli, issued a directive on 6 October warning members against public criticism, per Onlinekhabar.
