Sources said all Central Working Committee (CWC) members, parliamentarians and former CWC members close to Deuba have been called for the meeting apparently to discuss about their strategy should party President Sushil Koirala take a unilateral decision on nomination of the party´s office bearers and in other key positions. [break]
The NC CWC members dissatisfied with the nomination proposal of President Koirala are also among those invited in the meeting.
Minister for Irrigation and NC CWC member Bal Krishna Khand, who is close to Deuba, confirmed the meeting. “Our colleagues have been invited for a meeting to hold consultation on the party´s internal politics and national politics as a whole,” he said.
During the CWC meeting last Sunday, President Koirala had proposed nomination of Ram Chandra Paudel as vice president and Krishna Prasad Sitaula as general secretary of the party. The proposal has miffed not only CWC members close to Deuba but also those close to President Koirala including Sujata Koirala, Arjun Narsingh KC and KB Gurung.
The CWC meeting was put off indefinitely following five-day deliberations on the proposal on Friday after the CWC members stood sharply divided on it.
Purna Bahadur Khadka, another Deuba aide, said it is a normal gathering of the party´s colleagues. “This is not new at all. We keep gathering time and again to discuss internal politics of the party as well as national politics,” he said. “You must be aware President Koirala also holds similar meetings.”
President Koirala had inquired Deuba over phone about the meeting Tuesday after learning that he was planning for a gathering. Koirala had asked Deuba not to organize such a meeting as it would send a negative message about the party, according to a leader close to him.
The meeting comes at a time when President Koirala has expedited consultations with leaders close to Deuba. He held meetings with Deuba on Sunday and Gopal Man Shrestha on Monday.
During the meeting, President Koirala had sought Deuba´s support to endorse the nomination proposal, hinting that he remains firm on his decision to nominate Paudel and Sitaula in the party´s office bearers´ positions.
Koirala had assured Deuba faction that he would ensure their proportionate representation while constituting the party´s parliamentary board, work performance committee, chiefs of various departments within the party and 20 CWC members nominated in the CWC body.
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