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The largest party in the dissolved House of Representatives (HoR), the Nepali Congress (NC), is embroiled in an internal rift over whether to convene the party’s convention to elect a new leadership.

The party’s youth leaders are demanding that the convention be held before the next election, arguing that the NC should go to the polls with new leadership and renewed energy. However, the establishment faction, led by Vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka, prefers to hold the convention after the election. The party has faced growing criticism for failing to take initiative to resolve the ongoing political stalemate, appearing instead preoccupied with its internal disputes. The rift has laid bare the ongoing struggle between the party’s second- and third-tier leaders for control of its future direction.

Senior figures such as Khadka, Prakash Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Bimalendra Nidhi are reportedly intent on preventing Gagan Kumar Thapa from ascending to the party presidency. Thapa, however, remains firm in his intention to contest. In the absence of Sher Bahadur Deuba, the NC is facing a clear leadership vacuum as intergenerational rivalries intensify. Meanwhile, senior leader Shekhar Koirala has chosen to remain silent amid the escalating discord.

In contrast, the CPN-UML appears to be making steady progress toward its general convention, scheduled for mid-December. Initially, the party planned to hold the convention in Pokhara but later shifted the venue to Kathmandu due to party Chair KP Sharma Oli’s travel restrictions. Although some voices within the UML had earlier urged Oli to step aside, those calls have largely faded. A few leaders still argue that the party should not go into the elections under Oli’s leadership, but he has made it clear that he intends to contest at the General Convention.

Some party members have proposed that former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s membership be reinstated so she could take over the UML leadership after Oli, but he has shown no inclination to welcome her back. On national politics, the UML maintains that the only viable path forward is to briefly restore Parliament to legitimize the election process. Meanwhile, tensions between Prime Minister Sushila Karki and the UML continue to grow. Oli believes he is being directly targeted by the government and fears possible arrest.

Amid this shifting political landscape, a growing number of GenZ activists have entered the scene. They are engaging with political parties, civil society and business groups, though the government and established parties find it difficult to work with them due to their lack of unified positions. Rather than coalescing around shared reform agendas such as anti-corruption or governance reform, many GenZ figures appear increasingly motivated by personal political ambitions. An unhealthy competition has emerged among them to secure ministerial positions or advance individual agendas, while some remain openly hostile toward traditional political parties.

Seeking to consolidate his base after recent turmoil, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chair of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), has brought together 10 communist parties to form a new organization under the old banner, the Nepali Communist Party. Meanwhile, the CPN (Unified Socialist) led by Madhav Kumar Nepal is fragmenting. One faction has merged with Dahal, another is preparing to rejoin the UML, and a third, led by Ghanashyam Bhushal, plans to form a separate political force. Within the Maoist Center itself, Janardhan Sharma has resigned protesting against the unification, and is reportedly in talks with other leaders to create a new political party.

In an effort to create momentum for elections, Prime Minister Karki has held consultations with former presidents Ram Baran Yadav and Bidya Devi Bhandari. She appears to believe they could help facilitate dialogue among top political leaders. However, without direct engagement between the prime minister and major party heads, progress toward a conducive electoral environment remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, controversial businessperson Durga Prasai is preparing to launch a street movement calling for the restoration of monarchy and the Hindu state. The government is concerned that his activities could disturb public order, especially given that protests he organized in March turned violent. Authorities have invited him for dialogue, as his influence appears to be growing, particularly after Prime Minister Karki made conciliatory remarks about him and the Nepali Army invited him to consultations as a “stakeholder.”

With less than 120 days remaining before the March 5 elections, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently drafting an integrated security plan to safeguard the electoral process. So far, the government has yet to ensure a stable political and security environment. This has fueled speculation about potential successors should Prime Minister Karki fail to conduct the elections. Names such as Baburam Bhattarai and Kalyan Shrestha have surfaced as possible candidates. 

Adding to the tension, the Supreme Court recently issued an interim order restraining the government from implementing its decision to recall 11 ambassadors. The government, however, has defied the order, insisting the ambassadors return to Nepal, citing a lack of trust. This defiance has sparked a broader debate over the balance of power between the executive and the judiciary.

Strains between the government and Parliament are also deepening. HoR Speaker Devraj Ghimire has accused the interim government of acting against the legislature and its members. In a meeting with journalists at Singhadurbar, Ghimire said the government appears intent on weakening the parliamentary system. His statement was prompted by the government’s decision to remove personal secretaries of the Deputy Speaker, Vice-chairperson of the National Assembly and 58 National Assembly members.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Karki met with chief ministers of all seven provinces. The provincial heads objected to several recent federal decisions that they claimed infringed on their constitutional powers. The meeting also touched upon election preparedness and coordination between federal and provincial governments.

Following the GenZ protests, the number of political parties in Nepal continues to rise. As of now, 18 new parties are awaiting registration with the Election Commission (EC). The most recent application is from the Nepali Communist Party, bringing the total number of registration requests to 18. Before the GenZ movement, only nine such applications had been filed, while the rest followed in its aftermath. Currently, 125 political parties have already obtained official registration certificates from the EC.

The Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress scheduled for today has been postponed. 

The next meeting will be held on November 4, said NC Party Office Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel.

The party has requested its office bearers, members, invitee members and presidents of all seven provinces to attend the meeting. 

The meeting was put off after the establishment side and factional side could not forge consensus regarding presenting a proposal to announce the date of the party's 15th general convention.  

Earlier, the meeting called for Friday was also deferred.

The Nepali Congress is holding its Central Working Committee meeting at the party's central office, BP Smriti Bhawan, Lalitpur on Thursday.

It has been said that the meeting will focus on matters related to the party's 15th General Convention, as the term of the CWC currently led by President Sher Bahadur Deuba is ending by mid-December. Some leaders had launched a signature campaign calling for a special general convention.

It has been reported that 54 percent of the general convention delegates have signed for a special general convention.

Earlier, in the CWC meeting that began on October 14, party president Sher Bahadur Deuba had given the responsibility of acting president to vice president Purna Bahadur Khadka, citing health reasons. Since then, the working committee meeting has been held under Khadka's chairmanship.

NC President Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba are currently in Singapore for medical treatment.

Nepali Congress has withdrawn its support from the Madhes Province government.

The Parliamentary Party meeting held at the Nepali Congress Madhes Province Office in Janakpurdham on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of support to the government.

Parliamentary Party leader Krishna Yadav informed that the decision was taken at the Parliamentary Party meeting to withdraw the support extended to the government effective from today and recall the ministers participating in the government.

Nepal’s first and second largest parties in the recently dissolved House of Representatives — the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML — are expected to put forward at least three conditions before agreeing to participate in the elections, which are tentatively scheduled for March 5, if everything goes as planned.

In their initial reactions, these parties have not opposed the elections. After spending ten days under Nepal Army protection, top leaders of major political parties have started returning to their rented apartments, as their personal residences were selectively burned down by protestors. Many leaders are still in hiding due to ongoing threats and an environment of insecurity.

According to cross-party leaders, the first major condition for participating in the election is full-proof security. Parties argue that elections cannot be held in an atmosphere of terror, reminiscent of the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections. They have expressed doubts over the possibility of free and fair elections, especially as the morale of the security forces is reportedly low following widespread attacks on political offices across the country.

Secondly, major political parties have acknowledged the demands of the Zen-Z protestors but are calling for a thorough investigation into what they describe as targeted attacks on select political leaders and the destruction of vital state institutions such as the Parliament, Judiciary, and Singha Durbar. Although the Sushila Karki-led government has pledged to form a high-level investigation committee, no concrete progress has been made so far. A senior UML leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, stressed the need for a transparent investigation and prosecution of those involved in the violence and property destruction. The Nepali Congress has also demanded an investigation into the September 9 attacks, including the assault on its Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba.

However, these demands are expected to face resistance from Zen-Z protestors, making it a challenging balancing act for Prime Minister Sushila Karki. She cannot afford to sideline either the protestors or the political parties if elections are to proceed smoothly. Society remains divided between two extremes — some believe the new government should completely ignore political parties, while certain party leaders continue to downplay the significance of the Zen-Z protests. Finding a reconciliatory path between these opposing views poses a serious challenge for the government.

Moreover, the major political parties — CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), and Nepali Congress — have already declared the dissolution of Parliament unconstitutional. They are likely to file cases in the Supreme Court to determine its legality. These parties may decide to participate in the elections only after a verdict is issued. Past experience suggests that the Supreme Court can take several months to deliver rulings on constitutional matters, and internal disagreements among justices could further delay the process. In 2020 and 2021, the Supreme Court had invalidated the dissolution of Parliament by then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, although the context now is markedly different.

As of now, political parties have yet to resume their usual activities. Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is undergoing treatment in an army barrack after being seriously injured in an attack on him and his spouse, Arzu Rana Deuba. CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has returned to a rented residence in Bhaktapur and issued a statement on Constitution Day. The Nepali Congress has held its first meeting of top leaders to discuss current issues. Meanwhile, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has publicly supported the Zen-Z protestors’ demand for a directly elected president.

The Karki-led government has only just begun its work, forming a four-member cabinet so far. Prime Minister Karki is facing challenges in expanding the cabinet. President Ram Chandra Poudel had advised her to include representatives from major political parties, but Karki rejected the suggestion, arguing that appointing discredited political leaders could send the wrong message and provoke further protests. This decision, however, may make governance more difficult, as political parties could oppose every move she makes. The possibility of political parties taking to the streets once the situation stabilizes cannot be ruled out. Additionally, tensions between the President and the Prime Minister may escalate. President Poudel has already publicly stated that he will not endorse any ordinances except those related to elections, signaling potential friction between the two offices.

Nepal's major political parties have strongly opposed Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s decision to dissolve the Federal Parliament, calling it unconstitutional and undemocratic.

Karki, who was appointed Prime Minister on September 12 with a mandate to hold general elections within six months, announced the dissolution of Parliament shortly after being sworn in. She also set March 5 as the date for the next election.

In a joint statement, eight major political parties—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist), Janata Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, and Nagarik Unmukti Party—expressed serious concern over the move, stating they "totally disagree" with the decision.

"We promulgated a new constitution on the foundation of people’s long struggle for democracy and sacrifice. Any move against the constitution is unacceptable to us," the statement reads.

The parties argue that the dissolution violates Article 76(2) of the Constitution and goes against previous verdicts of the Supreme Court of Nepal. They have demanded the immediate restoration of Parliament and called for a parliamentary session to address national issues, including those raised by recent protestors.

According to the statement, the parties believe that public demands must be resolved within the constitutional and parliamentary framework.

Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth largest parties in Parliament—Rastriya Swatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party—have not issued any public statements regarding the dissolution.

The Nepali Congress has stated that the dissolution of Parliament is contrary to the vision of the Constitution and the interpretation of the Supreme Court.     

The meeting of the Central Working Committee of the party held on Friday night regarding the latest developments in the country decided that the dissolution of Parliament is not in accordance with the Constitution, while concluding that the move has undermined democratic achievements.     

Coordinated by Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka the meeting was attended by the provincial chairs, chief ministers and leaders of the provincial parliamentary parties of all seven provinces as well as invitees.     

The Congress has urged that the unpleasant and unprecedented incidents that took place on September 8 and 9 should be investigated and that the constitution drafted by the Constituent Assembly and its achievements should be safeguarded.     

To prevent the situation from deteriorating further and to prevent the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal from going outside of the parth, the Nepali Congress has decided to play a leading role for the sake of peace, democracy, progress and prosperity in consultation with other political parties and civil society, reads the statement issued by Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel. (RSS)

The major ruling partner, Nepali Congress, has decided to talk to the government on the latter's decision to block social networks. 

The government has blocked two dozens of social networks, reasoning that they failed to get listed.

The meeting of the Central Execution Committee of NC decided to make its views public only after holding discussion with the government on restriction to social media. 

The Committee meeting was held at the residence of Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Budhanilakantha, according to Joint General Secretary of the party, Jivan Pariyar. 

Former State Minister for Health Khadga Bahadur Bashyal has passed away on Friday.

Bashyal has served as former chairperson of the Nepal Dalit Federation, member Constituent Assembly of 2064 (BS) and 2070 (BS), former member of the Nepali Congress District Working Committee of Surkhet, and central member in the Nepal Democracy Fighters Association (NDFA)

Bashyal, a resident of Tatapani, Birendranagar Municipality-3, Surkhet, suffering from cancer, passed away at his residence today.

Nepali Congress said that with his death, the party has lost a senior and experienced leader.

President of the Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed grievances over the demise of Bashyal.

Deuba said, "The news of the passing of former State minister for Health and member of Constituent Assembly has made me saddened, devasted and heart-rent."

President Deuba also said that the late Bashyal's leadership role in building the Nepali Congress organization and his role in Nepal's democratic movements will always be remembered in the party.

Paying heartfelt tributes to him, President Deuba expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the party and myself, praying for the eternal peace of his soul. (RSS)

Nepali Congress Bagmati Province Parliamentary Party leader Bahadur Lama has lost the post of Parliamentary Party leader.

Lama is also the Chief Minister of Bagmati Province.

In the vote that took place on a no-confidence motion registered against him, 15 NC provincial assembly members voted against the motion while 22 voted for it, ousting him from the post of Parliament Party leader.

The no-confidence motion was registered against him last Friday.

There are 37 provincial assembly members representing the Nepali Congress in the Bagmati Province Assembly and subsequent members of the NC Parliamentary Party.

The ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress (NC) has urged the government to urgently address the pressing problems faced by farmers across the Madhes Province such as shortage of drinking water and irrigation facilities and unavailability of fertilizers and seeds.

The call for urgent action was made in the meeting of NC office bearers and former office-bearers presided over by party President Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence in Budhanilakantha today.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari briefed about the current status of the country's agriculture sector.

NC's Joint General-Secretary Jeevan Pariyar informed that the meeting emphasized collaborative efforts among all three-tiers of governments to resolve the drinking water problem and irrigation issues prevailing in  Madhes Province and to ensure timely supply of fertilizers and seeds.

He clarified that on the contrary to the public speculation, the meeting did not dwell on the issue relating to reshuffle of ministers in the federal government.

During the meeting, ministers currently serving in the government representing the NC also presented updates on the progress made by their respective ministries.

Likewise, General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma informed about the upcoming by-elections in Rupandehi district and the voter-related concerns.

Nepali Congress has taken action against leaders and cadres, who acted against the party’s candidates or candidates supported by the party, resulting in their defeat in the 2079 local, provincial and federal elections.

A meeting of the party's Central Disciplinary Committee held from June 23 to July 1 decided to expel and suspend individuals based on evidence of their malicious intent to undermine the party’s candidates or those supported by the party, using various tactics including social media, audio and visual, etc.

According to Committe coordinator Anand Prasad Dhungana, the Committee sought clarification from Mahasamiti member from Tehrathum, Tulsi Subba, Mahasamiti member from Kaski and former minister of Gandaki Province, Kumar Khadka, secretary of Lumbini Province, Bikram Khanal, President of Khotang, Bishnu Kumar Rai, and regional President of Parsa Constituency-1, Arvind Kumar Gupta.

Since their clarification was not found satisfactory, a decision has been made to expel them for one year based on the available evidence according to the Congress statute, and to expel Anand Yadav, Chair of the Laxminiya Rural Municipality in Dhanusha district, for six months. 

As their response to the clarification sought by the Central Disciplinary Committee was not satisfactory, it has been decided to suspend them for six months based on available evidence according to the NC statute, and to suspend Krishna KC, the former chair of NC Kaski, for three months, said coordinator Dhungana.

Nepali Congress (NC) leaders have voiced serious concerns that chronic factionalism, dysfunctional party structures, intra-party betrayal and a lack of clarity over electoral alliances could severely hurt the party’s performance in the 2027 national elections.

During the ongoing Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting, several leaders urged the party leadership to begin preparations for the upcoming elections. These concerns have intensified in light of CPN-UML’s aggressive ‘Mission 2084’ campaign, launched shortly after the last election, and the CPN (Maoist Center)’s continued grassroots mobilization since 2024.

Senior NC leader Narayan Prakash Saud criticized the party’s inaction. “On the one hand, our organizations are becoming obsolete, and on the other, we are alienating parties that have historically supported us. There are clear signs we will receive fewer votes than we did in the previous elections,” Saud warned during the CWC meeting.

CWC member Dila Sangraula questioned the party’s readiness to contest elections without any alliances. “What preparations have been made so far?” she asked. “If we contest alone, will we win 70–80 seats under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system—or just 25–30? Let’s think seriously.” In 2017, when NC fought the elections alone, it managed to secure just 23 FPTP seats while the UML-Maoist alliance dominated.

The party now finds itself in a precarious position. On one hand, grassroots cadres are pressuring the leadership not to form an alliance with the Maoists due to past tensions. On the other hand, should the UML and Maoists realign, NC fears a repeat of the 2017 defeat. Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba is in favor of forming an electoral alliance, while other senior leaders remain divided and inconsistent in their views. The ongoing CWC meeting has exposed a sharp internal rift over this issue.

Intra-party betrayal remains a key challenge. In 2022, several leaders backed by senior figures defied the official party line by fielding rival candidates. Now, the party is debating whether to take disciplinary action against them. Senior leader Shekhar Koirala has called for amnesty for these candidates. Meanwhile, the NC’s Disciplinary Committee, led by Ananda Dhungana, has received 21 complaints, most related to internal betrayal.

Some leaders also flagged growing public frustration with major political parties, including NC, which could significantly impact the 2027 outcome. They fear not only swing voters but also core supporters may turn to emerging political forces. However, senior leaders have dismissed this concern, arguing that traditional parties still enjoy broad support and are merely victims of a systematic smear campaign.

At the meeting, Sangraula pointed out that more than 80 percent of the public is dissatisfied with mainstream political parties, including NC. “Based on our conversations with local leaders and cadres,” she said, “the frustration we sense on the ground could prove disastrous for us in the next elections.”

Due to ongoing factional disputes, NC has long failed to hold general conventions for its sister organizations. Senior leader Shashank Koirala proposed amending the constitution to replace “secularism” with “religious freedom,” a long-standing demand of him.

He also called for a review of the mixed electoral system—FPTP and proportional representation (PR)—introduced in 2008. “This system prevents any single party from gaining a majority,” he argued, suggesting instead that all members of the House of Representatives (HoR) be elected through FPTP and the National Assembly through PR.

Senior leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula raised concerns over the judiciary, referring to the recent Supreme Court verdict on constitutional appointments made four years ago. “The Chief Justice was in the minority despite the constitution clearly stating the verdict must be delivered under the Chief Justice’s leadership,” he said. “It’s time we review how our courts function, from the district level to the Supreme Court.”

Party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat said NC joined the coalition government with the expectation of having at least 50 percent influence. “It’s a coalition government, which makes it difficult to either stay or exit. But if we stay, our ministers must perform better than those from other parties.” Meanwhile, internal debates continue over whether the party’s general convention should be held before or after the 2027 elections.

During the ongoing Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress (NC), leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of both the party and the government.

They criticized the government and NC ministers for failing to fulfill their duties, weakening the party’s presence in the coalition. Leaders also pointed out that key commitments from the seven-point agreement between the NC and UML—signed during the government’s formation—remain unfulfilled. One major example is the lack of progress on the constitution amendment, a key pledge made by both parties.

Senior leader Shekhar Koirala demanded an explanation from party President Sher Bahadur Deuba: “Why has there been no progress on the constitution amendment?” So far, the ruling parties have taken no steps toward this goal. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has even stated that an amendment may not be possible before the 2027 elections, as the NC and UML lack the necessary numbers. Other leaders echoed these concerns, arguing that the failure to deliver on promises has damaged the credibility of both the government and the party.

Regarding governance, leaders said the government has failed to meet public expectations or align with the party’s aspirations. However, there was no clear consensus on whether the NC should seek an alternative to the current coalition. NC leader Prakash Sharan Mahat noted that while no one explicitly called for a change in the alliance, leaders urged improvements in the government’s performance.

Another key discussion centered on the party’s stance regarding electoral alliances and coalition governments. Senior leader Koirala questioned Deuba’s decision to form an electoral alliance with the Maoist Center but then align with UML to create the government. “I supported an NC-UML coalition for stability, but NC should have led the government,” he said.

There is growing pressure within the NC to rule out future electoral alliances with the Maoist Center. However, some top leaders argue that without such an alliance, the party cannot defeat the UML. It remains uncertain whether the NC will partner with the Maoists if the current government lasts until the next elections. Leaders also raised doubts about the party’s commitment to holding its general convention on time. Some suspect President Deuba may delay it until after the 2027 elections, a move that would allow him to lead the election government if the current coalition holds. Leaders demanded an immediate convention schedule.

Under the party’s statute, Deuba is ineligible to run for president a third time. It remains unclear whom he will endorse as his successor from his faction, though Koirala and Gagan Thapa have already announced their candidacies. The meeting also addressed dysfunction in the party’s sister organizations, many of which have failed to hold timely conventions. Discussions also touched on intra-party democracy and other organizational challenges.

Koirala further criticized the party’s decision to appoint a leader as a central committee member despite their active membership being less than 10 years old. He also condemned the party for sidelining loyal leaders in past elections while now taking action against them. He proposed granting amnesty to rebel candidates with a warning against repeating such actions. Additionally, he urged the party president to resolve delays in sister organizations’ conventions, where leadership tenures are being repeatedly extended without elections.

The Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on April 30.

The meeting will be held at the party's central office, Sanepa.

The CWC office bearers, members and invitee members have been requested to attend the meeting, said Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel.

The agenda of the meeting is to discuss contemporary issues and latest developments.

After years of strained relations, China has recently intensified its engagement with the Nepali Congress (NC), Nepal’s oldest and largest democratic party. Over the past decade, the relationship between China and the NC had soured due to various political and diplomatic reasons. However, recent developments indicate a shift in China’s approach, as Chinese diplomats and leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) have begun actively engaging with NC leaders.

A notable example of this renewed engagement is the recent visit of an NC delegation led by senior leader Sujata Koirala to China. During the visit, the delegation toured several Chinese cities, including Chengdu, and held meetings with senior CPC officials. This marks a significant step in China’s efforts to strengthen ties with the Koirala family, a prominent political dynasty within the NC.

In early March, Sun Haiyan, Vice-Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with Koirala. According to a Chinese readout, Sun praised the NC and the Koirala family for their long-standing commitment to fostering China-Nepal friendship and for upholding the correct stance on issues related to Xizang (Tibet) and Taiwan. Sun emphasized the CPC’s willingness to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the NC and other major political parties in Nepal, urging both sides to focus on implementing the consensus reached between the two countries.

Koirala, in response, reaffirmed the NC’s firm support for the One-China principle and expressed her party’s eagerness to leverage the 70th anniversary of Nepal-China diplomatic relations to deepen mutual understanding and collaboration. This marks a notable shift from the past, when relations between China and the NC deteriorated significantly. One key incident was in 2016, when NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba shared a stage with a representative of the Tibetan government-in-exile at an event organized by the India Foundation in Goa. This incident, among others, led to a period of mistrust and strained ties.

Other factors contributing to the rift included China’s preferential engagement with Nepal’s communist parties, often at the expense of sidelining the NC, as well as the NC’s public criticism of China’s alleged border encroachment and its cautious stance on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During this period, Chinese state media frequently portrayed the NC as a pro-Indian party, further exacerbating tensions.

However, relations began to improve following the signing of the Framework for Belt and Road Cooperation during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to China in December 2023. NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba played pivotal roles in facilitating the agreement, despite strong opposition within their own party. Their support for the BRI marked a turning point in China-NC relations, even as senior NC leaders like Prakash Sharan Mahat and NP Saud continued to voice concerns about the initiative, arguing that it contradicted the party’s position against taking loans under the BRI.

Since the signing of the BRI agreement, there has been a noticeable increase in visits by NC leaders to China, and the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu has actively engaged with senior NC figures. This represents a departure from China’s previous approach of primarily engaging with Nepal’s communist parties, a trend that had persisted for over a decade. During this period, China focused on fostering unity among Nepal’s communist factions, leading to a perception among NC leaders that they were being marginalized.

China’s recent outreach to the NC suggests a recognition of the need to broaden its engagement beyond communist parties. This shift is seen as an effort to build a more balanced and inclusive relationship with Nepal’s political landscape. While senior communist leaders have frequently visited China over the years, NC leaders have rarely done so. The current wave of engagement indicates that both sides are working to address past misunderstandings and strengthen bilateral ties.

This renewed engagement comes at a critical juncture, as China seeks to consolidate its influence in Nepal amid evolving regional dynamics. By fostering closer ties with the NC, China aims to ensure that its initiatives, including the BRI, gain broader political support within Nepal. For the NC, this represents an opportunity to reaffirm its role as a key player in Nepal’s foreign policy and to balance its relationships with both China and India.