Kathmandu, April 17 -- The Supreme Court has recognised the Gagan Thapa faction as the official Nepali Congress, effectively ending a three-month-long dispute over the party's legitimacy.

A division bench of Justices Sharanga Subedi and Nripdhwoj Niraula delivered the verdict on Friday in favour of the Thapa faction.

The dispute dates back to a special general convention held in mid-January 2026, which elected Gagan Thapa as party president. Challenging the outcome, the Sher Bahadur Deuba faction approached the Election Commission, which initially granted recognition to the Thapa-led group. The Deuba faction later moved the Supreme Court on January 18, 2026.

Last month, the Thapa faction published the schedule for the party's 15th gene...