who’s really challenging gagan thapa?

Currently, there is no strong direct challenger openly contesting Gagan Thapa's leadership position. In fact, Dr. Minendra Rizal recently withdrew his bid for vice-chairman and pledged support to Gagan Thapa. However, Thapa is facing internal challenges in uniting the Nepali Congress amid factional splits and leadership disputes, which could indirectly affect his standing. The political environment is competitive, with warnings from Thapa himself about leaders potentially losing central committee posts due to high competition. So, while no clear rival is front and center, the factional dynamics within the party remain a significant challenge.