As the March 5 election draws closer, Nepal’s largest and oldest democratic party, the Nepali Congress, is embroiled in intra-party infighting. The Gagan Kumar Thapa-led faction is holding a special general convention on January 11-12 in Kathmandu, raising fears of a possible party split ahead of the elections, which could affect its performance. Ideally, the party should now be focused on selecting candidates for the first-past-the-post polls beginning January 20, but it has instead plunged into a deep internal division.Leaders from both sides, however, maintain that the party will remain intact despite the convention. On Wednesday, the rival faction formally announced the special general convention, prompting the establishment faction to appeal to party cadres not to attend, arguing that the event violates party statute. The party has also warned that disciplinary action would be taken against anyone participating.The Thapa-led faction however contends that since 53% of general convention representatives have signed a petition demanding the meeting, their move is legitimate and in line with party statute. On Wednesday, the Nepali Congress issued a statement asserting that any convention called by individual members is illegal, as the Central Working Committee holds sole authority to convene such meetings.Although the Nepali Congress has long suffered from chronic intra-party rifts, the latest round of infighting began after the September 8-9 protests. Following the protests, young leaders, prominently Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, called for immediate leadership change, reflecting the demands of youth-led demonstrations. Anticipating resistance from the current leadership, they initiated a signature campaign among general convention representatives to push for change.According to party statute, if 40% of general convention representatives demand a special convention for valid reasons, the leadership is obliged to convene it. In October last year the rival faction formally submitted signatures to acting party president Purna Bahadur Khadka, requesting such a convention.Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba had appointed Khadka as acting party president after the Gen Z protests and citing health concerns. With Deuba stepping back from daily party activities, a new power struggle emerged between second-rung leaders and youth leaders like Thapa, as both sides sought to dominate the party.Second-rung leaders have tacitly united to prevent Thapa and other youth leaders from rising to the helm of the party. A popular leader, Thapa has announced his intention to contest for party president, seeking to secure the leadership position amid the heat of the Gen Z protests. Meanwhile, more than half a dozen leaders from Deuba’s generation and Thapa’s generation are also eyeing the leadership position. Senior leader Shekhar Koirala, who contested the presidency in 2021, has declared his candidacy but has maintained neutrality in the recent intra-party feud.Following the prolonged dispute over the special convention, the Central Working Committee decided to hold the party’s regular general convention before the elections, setting the date for January 10-12. This was apparently intended to dismiss the rival faction’s demand, as holding a regular convention with newly elected representatives was not feasible, the party follows a lengthy and democratic process to elect grassroots representatives.Since the regular convention could not proceed due to disputes over new membership in several districts, the established faction postponed it until after the elections, a move strongly opposed by the rival faction. In response the Thapa-led faction called for a special convention. Thapa frequently insists that he does not intend to split the party, but he also argues that it is necessary to send a message acknowledging the changes demanded by youths during the September 8-9 protests.The fate of Nepali Congress’s unity hangs in the balance. If the party takes disciplinary action against supporters of the special convention, including expelling them, a split is likely. If the convention is allowed to proceed, the party is likely to remain intact, as the event aims to pass a political resolution expressing commitment to leadership change and the demands of Gen Z, rather than immediately altering leadership.Although incumbent president Deuba is barred by party statute from seeking a third term, he is strongly resisting the emergence of youth leaders at the top. Similar to national politics, the party is witnessing a generational struggle. While Gen Z protests have shaken Nepal’s major parties, the leadership remains firmly in place.