After his victory over Ram Chandra Paudel for the post of party president, Deuba has been working to elect parliamentary party (PP) leader unanimously. Deuba had thought to persuade Paudel during the meeting at the latter's residence at Boharatar on Wednesday afternoon. But Paudel not only indicated his candidacy, he also asked Deuba's support as well.The PP leader post in NC was vacated after former NC president Sushil Koirala's demise on February 9. Election for NC PP leader has been proposed for April first week, but the date is yet to be finalized.
"As we elected party president through vote, it would be wise if we pick the parliamentary party leader through consensus. President Deuba is working for the same," NC central committee member Purna Bahadur Khadka told Republica. He further said that Deuba will contest for the PP leader post even if consensus could not forged.
On the other hand, Paudel who was defeated by Deuba in the fray of party president has suggested Deuba to support him for the PP leader to balance power politics within the party.
Paudel sees his victory in the NC PP leader tough after nearly a dozen lawmakers from his side defected to Deuba camp during the NC general convention earlier this month. Leaders Arjun Narsingh KC, Kul Bahadur Gurung, Farmullah Mansoor, Arjun Joshi, Man Bahadur BK, Jagdishwor Narsingh KC, Chandra Bhandari, Amresh Singh, Amrit Aryal and Madhu Shahi have recently joined Deuba camp.
Earlier Deuba had lost the PP election with late leader Koirala with narrow margin of 16 votes. Leaders close to Deuba claim that the president is in comfortable position at this time.
Another group of leaders including Krishna Sitaula, Gagan Thapa, Amrit Lal Rajbansi and Usha Gurung, who supported Koirala for PP leader in the last election, have not revealed their support at this election.
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