Nepal, Aug. 15 -- Leaders of the rival faction of the Nepali Congress (NC) have called for party unity while rejecting the legitimacy of the special general convention held in January, saying it was conducted in violation of the party statute and procedures.

Addressing a national gathering that began in Kathmandu on Friday, senior NC leaders said the party should move forward by recognizing the leadership elected by the 14th General Convention and preserving organizational unity.

After spending five months abroad, former NC president Sher Bahadur Deuba returned to Kathmandu on Thursday. Addressing the gathering, Deuba expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would deliver justice in the dispute over the party's legitimacy.

Referring...