Kathmandu, Nov. 26 -- The Nepali Congress is at a crossroads as its two factions clash over the party's general convention and control of parliamentary tickets ahead of the March 5 parliamentary elections.

Party president Sher Bahadur Deuba wants to delay the convention and retain control over candidates selection, while general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma want a special convention before the elections to assert their influence over the leadership.

The demand for a special general convention made by 54 percent of elected representatives to the general convention has drawn a clear line of division in the party, leaders said. If the central working committee meeting scheduled for Thursday can find a middle path, the ...