Kathmandu, Jan. 11 -- The second special general convention of the Nepali Congress is set to kick off at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu on Sunday. The convention, called by the party's general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, is being held amid a deepening crisis in the party.

The special convention organising committee has extended invitations to party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka and other office bearers. But Deuba has refused to be a part of the convention despite the suggestion from some leaders that the party chief make it a "convention of consensus".

One of the senior-most elected representatives to the general convention will inaugurate the special convention, said Manojmani A...