Kathmandu, Jan. 11 -- Amid a widening intra-party rift and the approaching election, the second special general convention of the Nepali Congress has begun in Kathmandu, drawing wide attention amid speculation over whether it signals party reform or a possible split.

The two-day event began on Sunday afternoon with the active involvement of general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. Acting party president and other senior party members abstained from the opening ceremony in protest.

Hundreds of delegates and participants have arrived from across the country, bringing mixed emotions of hope and fear among cadres over generational change and the possibility of a split.

However, the general secretaries ruled out any ...