Kathmandu, Dec 15 (RSS):

The major opposition Nepali Congress is currently swayed by the debate on 14th national convention of the party. The convention related issues have badly affected the working committee meeting lately.    
Senior leader of the party, Ramchandra Poudel, and his group did not turn up the central committee meeting on December 12, arguing that the establishment side led by party President Sher Bahadur Deuba must produce schedule for the 14th general convention of the party. The general convention is the event that elects new leadership.    
President Deuba reached leader Poudel's residence on Saturday in a bid to forge consensus on the disputed issues. Also attended by Party Vice-President Bimalendra Nidhi, the meeting ran for an hour but failed to make any agreement. Leader Poudel reiterated his demand of convention schedule first.    
On the occasion, President Deuba urged Poudel for agreeing on completion of the internal adjustment first then the convention schedule, which would be determined by the central election committee, according to Spokesperson Bishwo Prakash Sharma.    
Furthermore, Vice-President Nidhi and leader Prakashman Singh met on Saturday evening, and Nidhi and General Secretary Dr Sashank Koirala met on Saturday morning to decide whether to make internal adjustment first or announce general convention schedule.    
Central member of the party near leader Poudel, Dilendra Badu, observed that they had not budged from the bottom-line of announcement of 14th general convention of the party. The leaders aligned to Poudel did not attend the central committee meeting of the party today as well.    
However, the meeting was conducted even in the absence of leader Poudel, said Spokesperson Sharma.    
As the Poudel group is for scheduling general convention on time, Deuba group seems planning to prolong the current stint for one more year based on statute provision.    
If the general convention is held on its routine, it needs to be held coming February/March.    
The NC had held its 13th general convention in 2072BS.