Nepali Congress Splits Into Two Factions Ahead of March Elections

The Nepali Congress party formally split into two factions ahead of the March 5 parliamentary elections after failed negotiations between the groups led by Gagan Thapa-Bishwo Prakash Sharma and Sher Bahadur Deuba. The Thapa-Sharma faction held a convention claiming majority delegate support and elected Thapa as party president, while Deuba's faction rejected this and expelled the dissenters. Both factions have submitted claims to the Election Commission for official recognition, with the dispute expected to be resolved legally. The split follows internal disagreements over party reforms and leadership decisions.