Nepali Congress Split Spurs Symbol Standoff

The Nepali Congress has split into two factions, each claiming the party symbol. The Election Commission is set to decide the official recognition ahead of the March 5 elections. The factions failed to reconcile over reforms, with Thapa and Sharma versus Deuba leading the divides.

The Nepali Congress has fractured, leading to two factions vying for the party symbol at the Election Commission. A decision is expected soon as officials rush to settle matters before the March 5 general elections.

The split comes as talks failed between factions led by Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma on one side, and Sher Bahadur Deuba on the other. The official party emblem, a tree symbol, and the flag are at stake.

The Election Commission is verifying claims, with Deuba's faction and Thapa's faction both submitting documentation. Meanwhile, recent political upheaval saw former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli step down amid protests, with interim leadership under Sushila Karki until the elections.