The Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sunday announced to hold its general convention in mid-January next year.

The decision was announced after a meeting of the central working committee (CWC) today. NC (D) leaders said the decision to hold the general convention was taken after consultations with the jailed party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and central leader Prakash Man Singh.

The NC (D) meet also decided to issue circulars to party committees at all levels to start homework for the general convention to be held in Kathmandu. The CWC meeting will continue for Monday as well.

Meanwhile, with the announcement of the general convention, the possibility of reunion between the breakaway NC (D) and the Nepali Congress (NC) has come to a naught for the moment. When asked about it, NC (D) spokesman Dr Minendra Rijal said: “As they [NC leaders] are preparing for general elections, we feel they have not given attention to this issue [reunification].”

The NC (D) is a partner in the seven-party alliance that has been waging a democratic movement since Feb 1 royal takeover.

“Despite this, we share ‘unity of purpose’,” Rijal said.

After being expelled by the NC for declaring a state of emergency in the country in 2002, Deuba, then Prime Minister and an influential NC leader, had severed ties with the NC, launching his own party – the NC (D) – through a special general convention. He is currently facing jail on corruption charges.