On Friday, the grand old party of the nation, Nepali Congress, initiated its 14th general convention. The inaugural function held on the same day carried special importance as chairs of almost all political parties addressed the opening function in which some leaders were engaged in verbal duels, besides expressing best wishes for the success of the inauguration. Representatives from India's political parties, the BJP and the Indian National Congress, addressed the inaugural session in which they highlighted the age-old relationship between the two close neighbours and vowed to support Nepal in the days to come. The general convention of the oldest democratic party in the country, which was and is at the forefront of all political struggles, is set to elect a 167-member new central working committee from 4,743 general convention representatives. The convention will elect 13 new office-bearers that include a president, two vice-presidents, two general secretaries, two joint general secretaries, and 121 CWC members, while others will be nominated to their respective posts.

As the NC has opted to follow the ballot papers instead of an electronic voting method, it appears that it will take longer for the party to count votes won by all candidates contesting the elections for coveted positions of the party. The tussle for key posts has generated deep interests among the NC followers, other political parties, observers and common public alike. So far, incumbent president and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is set to contest for the top post for one more term, while senior party leaders Shekhar Koirala, Prakash Man Singh, Bimalendra Nidhi have also eyed the coveted post. As the anti-establishment group, led by Ram Chandra Paudel, has failed to zero in on a consensus candidate, analysts say, the incumbent president will have a greater chance of walking away with a victory.

The contest for the president's post has generated wider interest among the public while many have closely watched the nominations of the candidates for the vice president and general secretaries as these positions will provide future candidates for the Congress president(s). A fair election is the hallmark of a truly democratic exercise and NC, through this election, must set a benchmark for other political parties, which have, over the years, tended to embrace the path electing their leaders to the party's key posts without holding elections by 'forging consensus'. Elections, needless to say, are a better democratic way than selecting candidates through what is known as consensus among a majority of senior leaders.

The battle for key positions in the NC’s CWC, however, must not turn dirty, because Congress is regarded as a democratic party that requires following all the traits and features of a democratic election. The general convention should be an occasion to show the world at large that the party that prides itself over its democratic credentials is a true custodian of democracy and therefore must hold its elections in a free and fair manner. People's faith in the NC will only increase if the 14th general convention ends on a successful note, electing the best candidate for the various positions. As Congress eyes a return to power after the next general election, it must select suitable candidates. The general convention representatives thus have a greater responsibility for the election of the new CWC.