Kathmandu, July 23 -- The dispute over the legitimacy of the Nepali Congress leadership has returned to the Supreme Court, with the party's former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka and other leaders seeking a review of a verdict that upheld the Election Commission's recognition of the faction led by Gagan Kumar Thapa.

The review petition, filed on Wednesday by the faction aligned with former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba as the party prepares for its general convention, marks the second time the leadership dispute has reached the country's highest court.

Arjun Koirala, spokesperson for the Supreme Court, said the petition was registered after a preliminary review. He said the date for a hearing has yet to be fixed.

On April 17...