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Gagan Kumar Thapa has been elected unopposed as the President of the Nepali Congress. 

Sitaram KC, Coordinator of the Central Election Committee, informed that Thapa was elected unopposed as the party President at the second special convention of the pro-faction currently held in Kathmandu. 

"Since Thapa was the only candidate for the president position, I announce that he has been elected unopposed," said Coordinator KC while announcing the election results. 

After being elected to the position of President, addressing leaders, cadres, and well-wishers at the special convention venue, Thapa expressed his determination to make the party one that its members are proud to be part of. “With the trust you have placed in me to take on the responsibility of the presidency, I will not let anyone bow their head down before anyone. I will uphold the dignity of the Nepali Congress party. I will ensure that all members who join this party feel proud to be part of the Nepali Congress. 

The party will work to ensure citizens know that Congress is there for them in difficult times,” said  newly elected President Thapa.

The voting to choose leadership from the Special General Convention (SGC) of the Nepali Congress is beginning from 8 pm today. .

The election committee formed by NC Special General Convention shared this, issuing a notice recently. 

The final name list of the candidates is being published shortly, said Coordinator of the Election Committee, Sitaram KC. 

There would be voting to the post of one president, two vice-presidents, two general secretaries, eight joint general secretaries and 121 central members.  

A five-member election committee was formed as per the procedure formulated by the SGC. 

There are 4,635 general convention representatives now.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has said that the NC is not anyone's private party. 

"Didn't they have to seek clarification before taking action? The Central Committee is dissolved. This Special General Convention (SGC) is legitimate, for a majority of the general convention representatives have participated in it," he commented.

General Secretary Thapa made such a reaction to the action taken by the Central Committee meeting of the NC to them. 

Thapa and another General Secretary Sharma and Joint General Secretary Pharmulla Mansoor have been ousted by the NC Central Committee for five years for organizing SGC.

Thapa has called on the general convention representatives to stand for trust and discretion. 

Addressing the SGC after the Central Committee ousted them on Wednesday evening, Thapa argued the party's authenticity lies in the SGC based on constitution, law, and the party's statute. So, the party is not divided at all, he said..

"SGC is called at a crucial time. We must stand for truth," he said, accusing the party Central Committee of sending a letter of action against them to the Election Commission by indulging us in discussions while we were discussing the conclusion of the SGC. It was wrong. The NC's transformation campaign in line with youth aspiration can not be stopped, he underscored.

General Secretary Thapa further said he would accept the decision to be delivered in a legitimate manner, for he had a trust in the Election Commission, constitution, rule and law. 

He also urged the party leaders and cadres not to be perturbed. "The SGC is not the event that disgraces the participants but helps hold their heads high.  

Action does not count: General Secretary Sharma

Similarly, another General Secretary Sharma observed that the action taken by the NC Central Committee does not count when SGC is the rightful event of the party. 

He, however, said the dispute in the party would be resolved through the Election Commission, constitution and party's statute. 

Joint General Secretary Mansoor viewed the major mandate of SGC is the selection of a new leadership and preparation of a policy. "It is no longer time to run a party in diktat. Youths should be persuaded and led well. The rage of youths won't be stopped by any conspiracy," he added.

Earlier, the NC Central Committee took action against Thapa, Sharma and Mansoor, on the charge of violating party discipline.

Central member and Head of the Publicity Department, Min Bishwakarma, said that the Central Committee meeting of the party held today in Sanepa and chaired by Acting President of the party, Purna Bahadur Khadka, expelled them from party membership for five years on charges of engaging in activities against the party's statute and interests.

General Secretary Thapa and Sharma, along with Joint General Secretary Mansur, are accused of leading the special convention called by the NC's special convention supporters, as well as participating in the process of moving forward with the election to select new leadership of the party through the event. 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 1. 52 points to close at 2, 641. 43 points on Wednesday. 

The sensitive index, however, has dropped by 0. 13 points to close at 454. 73 points.

A total of 12,504,970-unit shares of 320 companies were traded for Rs 1. 50 billion.

Meanwhile, Super Madi Hydropower Limited (SMHL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 9. 94 percent. 

Likewise, 9% ICFC Finance Limited Debenture 2088 (ICFCD88) was the top loser as its price fell by 3. 30 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 43 trillion.

The Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress has decided to take disciplinary action against General Secretary duo Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma for alleged acting against the party’s policy. 

Joint General Secretary Min Bishwakarma said that the decision was taken at the meeting held at the party office in Sanepa. 

Similarly, the meeting has also decided to take action against Joint General Secretary Farmullah Mansur.

With this the Congress has split.

Likewise, the meeting has urged the leaders and cadres to return to the party.

Joint General Secretary Bishwakarma said that action will be taken against them in accordance with the party's statute for violating party discipline.

A Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the Nepali Congress has begun in Sanepa, Lalitpur. 

The meeting, chaired by the party Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, is being attended by office-bearers and members of the Central Working Committee.

The Indian government has asked quick-commerce platforms to remove the “10-minute delivery” promise over concerns about delivery rider safety, following talks with companies after a nationwide workers’ strike.

Major platforms such as Zomato, Blinkit and Zepto have faced criticism for pressuring gig workers to meet tight deadlines, which workers say leads to unsafe riding, long hours and low pay. Some companies have already removed the claim from branding, though fast deliveries continue in many areas.

Labour unions welcomed the move as a step toward protecting workers, but riders and experts say pressure remains built into the system, with earnings and ratings still linked to speed, and broader issues like wages and social security unresolved.

Actor Kiefer Sutherland was arrested early Monday in Los Angeles on suspicion of making criminal threats after allegedly assaulting a ride-hail driver, police said. The incident occurred just after midnight near the Hollywood Hills.

Police said Sutherland entered the vehicle, physically assaulted the driver, and made threats. The driver did not need medical treatment. Sutherland was released a few hours later on a $50,000 bond and is due in court on Feb. 2.

Sutherland, best known for his role as Jack Bauer on “24,” has a history of alcohol-related arrests, including drunken driving convictions in 2004 and 2007.