Kathmandu, Oct. 4 -- Nepal's former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with a panel of leaders from the Nepali Congress, skipped the opening ceremony of the 15th General Convention of the party as the intra-party rift continues to widen.

The General Convention of the oldest party of the Himalayan Nation is being held nearly 8 months after the special convention held in January this year before the election. It is the party's first regular national convention since December 2021.

At the January special convention, Gagan Kumar Thapa became the party president, which was convened by over 54 per cent of party delegates, replacing Sher Bahadur Deuba's leadership. The Election Commission officially recognised Thapa's committee on Januar...