Congress leaders quietly campaigning for party presidency

KATHMANDU, Aug 21: As the Nepali Congress (NC) is on the defensive after its stinging loss in the recently held local, parliamentary and provincial assembly polls, senior leaders aspiring for the party presidency have lately begun campaigning for it.

While leaders close to President Sher Bahadur Deuba have not publicly staked their claim for the party's top leadership yet, those belonging to the rival faction have quietly started lobbying for top leadership positions. Former Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel, former General Secretary Prakash Man Singh and CWC member Shekhar Koirala are actively preparing the ground to land top leadership positions for themselves as the term of the current office bearers of the party is set to expire a year and a half.

Vice President Bimalendra Nidhi is widely being projected as the presidential candidate from the establishment faction should Deuba choose to retire from active party politics. Sources, however, said President Deuba is determined to contest for party president for yet another term.

In the rival faction, the prospects of former Vice President Paudel and former General Secretary Singh assuming the leadership position appear dimmed slightly following the announcement of General Secretary Dr Shashank Koirala that he or his brother Shekhar Koirala will be contesting for party president.

Venting his frustration against the party president, General Secretary Koirala told media persons in Biratnagar on Sunday that he or his brother Shekhar will be contesting for the post of party president in the upcoming general convention. General Secretary Koirala was miffed at the failure of President Deuba to call Mahasamiti meeting and his reluctance to listen to his suggestions for strengthening party organizations.

This is the first time General Secretary Koirala revealed that the Koiralas are actually planning to claim the party leadership.

Koirala had contested for the post of general secretary as running mate of Paudel in the party's general convention held two and half years ago. Paudel was defeated in the presidential race, while Koirala was able to secure victory.

Party insiders say it is, however, important for Koirala duo to placate other influential leaders including Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Arjun Narasingh KC, Ram Sharan Mahat, besides Paudel and Singh, to make their own contest easier. “This is a well-thought-out announcement. All top leaders will get dignified positions within the party,” said a leader close to Koirala family.