Shekhar and Gagan’s Secret Three-Hour Meeting, Why ?

Tensions within the Nepali Congress (NC) have taken a positive turn as leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala and General Secretary Gagan Thapa engaged in a three-hour “secret meeting” at the residence of mediator and fellow leader Arjun Narsingh KC.

This reconciliation follows the recent Koshi rebellion, during which Dr. Koirala aligned with CPN-UML, causing a significant strain between him and General Secretary Thapa. Leader Arjun Narsingh KC, who is also Thapa’s father-in-law, played a crucial role in facilitating this unexpected dialogue.

Monday’s meeting was initiated by leader KC, who skillfully mediated the discussions between the estranged political figures. A source close to the Nepali Congress revealed, “There was a three-hour discussion between Shekhar and Gagan at the residence of leader KC yesterday.”

Dr. Koirala, acknowledging the importance of resolving internal conflicts, postponed a scheduled meeting to the following day, with Gagan expressing eagerness to participate.

During the meeting, Thapa expressed dissatisfaction with the decision-making process during the Koshi rebellion, highlighting a lack of group discussion. The insider disclosed, “It means that there was no discussion between them while taking the decision of Koshi Province.”

Despite associations with NC leaders Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Pradeep Paudel, who are reportedly in talks to join the group, both Shekhar and Gagan are actively preparing for the party presidency.

In the course of the meeting, a consensus emerged that the working style of NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba needed improvement. Both Shekhar and Gagan expressed a commitment to explore new approaches and stressed the urgency of focusing on the upcoming 15th National Convention.

The leaders emphasized the need for a reformist movement within the party, calling for an accelerated process during the upcoming Mahasamiti meeting. They underscored the importance of formulating policies to guide the party in the right direction, aiming to transform it in preparation for the next convention.

Acknowledging the complexity of current political issues and corruption scandals in the country, NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC highlighted the necessity of addressing these challenges as the party moves forward. The reconciliation sets the stage for a renewed sense of unity within the Nepali Congress as it navigates the intricate political landscape.