During the late night meeting on Thursday between the top leaders – Khanal, Oli and Madhav Kumar Nepal – facilitated by other central level leaders, Khanal rejected “the most agreeable proposal” for consensus – Nepal becoming the chairman, Khanal general secretary and Oli senior vice-chair – which was floated by leader Mukunda Neupane. Eight central level leaders including Bam Dev Gautam, who is considered to be closer to Khanal than any other leader, Bishnu Poudel and Keshav Badal, among others, had also accepted this proposal.
“Oli and Nepal too had agreed to this proposal,” said a source privy to the meeting. “However, Khanal didn’t budge a bit stating that he wouldn’t settle for any position other than the chairman.”
Madhav Nepal told myrepublica.com Friday morning that efforts have still been made for a consensus. “I don’t want to say anything at the moment,” said Nepal, who has all along maintained that he wouldn’t stand for the top job in case there is no consensus among all and an election is imminent.
Last night, Nepal had proposed with Khanal for the two leaders to back off as they had already held the party’s top job in the past, and cede the chairman’s job to Oli. “But, Khanal was rigid,” said a source.
A leader close to Khanal just said all efforts to make Khanal a consensus candidate hasn’t been successful. The leaders are again going to meet Friday.
On the other hand, the closed-door session of the party’s eighth national convention resumed its business on its fifth day at 9 a.m. Friday morning. Leaders of 14 of 20 groups are scheduled to give their presentations on Khanal’s political document and the party’s statute amendment proposal, among other issues. Six groups gave their presentation on Thursday.
If there is no consensus among the leaders for the top job, Khanal and Oli are going to election. Most of the groups that have given presentation have suggested that the 1800-plus delegates should elect the leaders for the top jobs – chairman, vice-chairman, general secretary and secretary – through direct election, not by the 100-plus central committee members due to be elected by the delegates. The election committee of the convention is going to make public its election schedule later on Friday.
tilak@myrepublica.com
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