Almost all general convention representatives who spoke to Republica on Wednesday at the NC headquarters in Sanepa said they would take into account the merit of the leaders instead of blindly casting votes for panels. [break]They maintained that panel-based voting would not only mean maintaining status quo in the party but also denying leadership opportunities to competent leaders.
“I will vote for one the ones whom I think have a new vision and can strengthen the party,” said Mani Upreti, NC general convention representative elected from Jhapa Constituency -4. “If we start voting for panels we will reach nowhere.”
Besides the third front, two separate panels have been announced by NC Acting President Sushil Koirala and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba for the central level election of the party scheduled for September 17 to 21. While Koirala represents establishment faction of the party, Deuba was the president of then NC (Democratic). The scars of divide in the country´s oldest party are still afresh even three years after unification.
Krishna Prasad Khanal, who has been elected general convention representative from constituency number 4 of Arghakhanchi, said they are more concerned about keeping the party united and steering the party toward a new direction. “I do not think that general convention representatives will solely vote on the basis of panels,” he said. “We will strictly vote on merit basis. Among other things, we will see whether the leader is competent enough to debate with opposition parties on key issues.”
Shiva Narayan Mahato Gurau, general convention representative from constituency number 5 of Chitwan district, said he would refrain from panel-based voting as it would ultimately debilitate the party. “We do not belong to a certain leader. We belong to the Nepali Congress,” he argued.
Many convention representatives also believe that this is the right time to "punish" central level leaders of the party for their wrongdoings. “I will take into account how the leaders fulfilled their responsibility while holding public offices before casting my vote,” said Dr Suman Karmacharya, who has been elected convention representative from constituency number 1 of Ramechhap.
Convention representatives for "whole-timers"
At a time when most central working committee (CWC) members are least impressed by the idea of party having whole-time´ party cadres, most general convention representatives argued that this is a must to keep the party strong at the local level.
They argued that the idea of having ´whole-time´ party cadres would not only help to take the party´s plan and polices to the local level but also strengthen the party´s organization across the country. “It is already late to implement the idea,” said Mani Upreti. “This will help make the party more dynamic at all levels.”
General convention representative from Bara district Krishna Barta Shah argued this would help encourage the party cadres who have selflessly devoted themselves for the cause of the party.
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