Deuba rejects calls to resign, blames left alliance for poll debacle

KATHMANDU, May 28: Arguing that he was duly elected as party president by his party’s general convention, Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that he won’t step down as president just because some leaders in the party want him to.

Addressing a function organized by Nepal Press Union (NPU) to mark its founding day in the capital on Sunday, Deuba said that anyone aspiring to become Nepali Congress party president can contest in the general convention to be held three years from now. Deuba also indicated that he could himself contest for party president in the upcoming general convention.

The remarks by party president Deuba comes as a section of leaders in the party have been arguing that he should take responsibility for the party’s humiliating defeat in the parliamentary and provincial elections and resign the post. Rival faction leaders in the party have also been working to use the upcoming Mahasamiti meeting of the party to put pressure on Deuba to resign from president.

On the occasion, Deuba also said that no one has the right to say “gate out” to a party president elected through the general convention. Refuting allegations that his leadership was solely to be blamed for the party’s humiliating defeat, Deuba argued that the electoral alliance between the two largest communist parties -- CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) -- was responsible for Nepali Congress’ defeat in the elections.

Deuba also asked the party leaders and cadres not to be discouraged by the recent electoral defeat. While pledging to revive the party the party to its former glory through the next elections, Deuba urged all party leaders and workers to remain united to keep the party strong.

Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary Shashank Koirala drew the attention of both Deuba and senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel to unite the party saying that the differences between the two leaders and their factions had made the party weak. He also asked all party leaders and cadres not to be discouraged by the dismal poll performance saying that the NC has bright future ahead due to its democratic credentials.

Various senior leaders of the party including Vice President Bimalendra Nidhi and Ram Chandra Paudel were present on the occasion. All leaders expressed their commitment to fight against any move by the government to curtail press freedom.