In the election for the PP leader held Wednesday, Deuba secured 139 votes against Paudel, who got only 67 votes. Deuba was also elected party president at the general convention held last month, defeating the same rival Deuba needed 104 votes to be elected PP leader.Out of the 207 members of parliament from NC, 206 cast their votes in the election on Wednesday. Lawmaker Narahari Acharya, who is undergoing medical treatment, could not participate in the poll.
The voting result was published within an hour of the poll, as electronic voting machines were used.
The result of the PP leader election shows that Deuba has further improved his hold in the party. He had secured 58 percent of vote against Paudel's 42 percent during the race for party president. His 67 percent win over Paudel now shows the latter's decreasing strength in the party. Recently, over two dozen lawmakers had joined the Deuba camp.
Earlier in 2014, Deuba had lost the PP leader election against Sushil Koirala by just 16 votes. Upon Koirala's demise in February the post of PP leader fell vacant.
Political analyst Geja Sharma Wagle said that Deuba's comfortable position in the party would pile pressure on him to work to unite the party. "He was only leader of a faction in the party but now he should defend the party as a whole. The overwhelming trust that the lawmakers have reposed in him should encourage him to become a leader acceptable to all," he said.
Talking to journalists after the election, Deuba said that he will concentrate on strengthening the party with the cooperation of Paudel as well.
Deuba's election as main opposition leader in Parliament has been watched with much interest in political circles as the NC statute allows only its PP leader to become a candidate for prime minister.
After his election to the post, Deuba said his party will play the role of a strong opposition in Parliament. "The role of the opposition is the beauty of democracy, our party will play a strong role in opposition and no one should doubt this now," he said.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been repeatedly urging the NC to join his government. Asked about this, Deuba's close aide and NC lawmaker Bal Krishna Khand ruled out any such possibility. "If the Oli-led government paves the way for a national consensus government, our party will claim the leadership or take the initiative for forming such a government, but it will not join the present government," said Khand.
Before the election, Deuba used to say that his election to the post will assist in effective implementation of the new constitution. "Our brothers and sisters in Madhes are disgruntled and I will put in efforts to address their concerns. I urge them not to be adamant in their demands, and we also should reciprocate. Let's find a way to a solution," said Deuba after the election result. Recalling NC's contribution during the historic movements in the past, Deuba further said the party will focus on national prosperity and development as well as enhancing the federal democratic republic.
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