Kathmandu, Aug. 5 -- Shashank Koirala may have harboured the ambition of leading the Nepali Congress as its president, but the former general secretary now stands at a historic crossroads. He is preparing to lead a prospective new political outfit outside the traditional four-starred banner and election symbol "tree".

Following opposition from the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led faction to the Congress's special general convention held earlier this year, the group is organising a three-day national gathering in Kathmandu from August 14 to 16. It will prepare for the formation of a separate political party, unless a dramatic reconciliation occurs between the Congress factions anytime soon.

When the former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka ste...