Nepal's oldest party splits ahead of post-protest elections

Sher Bahadur Deuba (left) resisted the calls for reform proposed by the special general convention organising side led by Gagan Thapa (right), ultimately leading to a split in the Nepali Congress. - The Kathmandu Post/ANN

KATHMANDU: Nepal's oldest political party, Nepali Congress, has split ahead of March general elections, with the dissident party faction unanimously electing a new president.

The rupture adds to Nepal's turbulent political environment, after nationwide protests in September over corruption, governance failures and demands for political renewal ousted the previous government.