Kathmandu, Oct. 11 -- Gagan Thapa on Saturday retained the Nepali Congress presidency after he was elected with 93.88 percent of the vote during the party's general convention, currently ongoing in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Thapa secured 6,584 votes against 375 for rival Shyam Krishna Khadgi. Kishor Singh Rathore, who had also filed a nomination against Thapa, withdrew his candidacy.

Thapa took over the party presidency at a special general convention in January, attended by about 54 percent of the party's representatives. The Election Commission recognised the leadership elected by that convention, while a legal dispute over the process continues.

"What we sought to change through the special convention has now been institutionalised ...