KATHMANDU, Feb 15: Leaders close to Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba have started mounting pressure on him to name his successor ahead of the much-awaited 15th General Convention.
Although the party has yet to set the convention date, leaders close to President Deuba are growing impatient, while jockeying for leadership positions intensifies. Many leaders are forming factions and switching allegiances in a bid to secure their place within the party.
The party's statute mandates that the 15th General Convention be held by mid-December, but the NC has repeatedly missed this deadline, a delay that has become a point of contention among party leaders and cadres. On Saturday, NC Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, a leader close to Deuba, ruled out the possibility of holding the convention within the mid-December deadline.
Deuba rules out declaring successor
This comes amid rival faction leaders, including Dr. Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa, who have already announced their intention to run for president and have even begun preparations for the same. President Deuba, who is ineligible to run for re-election as president, is under increasing pressure to name his successor as rival factions expedite their preparation for the presidential race.
On Friday, more than a dozen influential NC leaders, including former office-bearers, visited Deuba at his residence. These leaders, who had rallied behind Deuba during the 14th General Convention, sought clarity from Deuba on who will be the presidential candidate from the establishment faction in the upcoming convention. They urged Deuba to appoint a successor from among them to ensure smooth leadership transitions.
However, Deuba responded that he would consult with leaders and finalize the presidential candidate within the next two years, with the convention scheduled to occur only after he assumes the role of Prime Minister.
Leaders such as Gopal Man Shrestha, Prakash Man Singh, Bimalendra Nidhi, Purna Bahadur Khadka, Dr Shashank Koirala and Krishna Prasad Sitaula, who have all supported Deuba in the past, have expressed strong interest in the presidency. However, the issue remains unresolved as the uncertainty about Deuba’s preference for a successor lingers.
The competition for leadership within the establishment faction is fierce, with contenders like Singh, Nidhi, and Dr Shashank Koirala positioning themselves as the natural candidates for the top spot. As factions continue to form, the pressure on Deuba mounts to make a clear decision on who will lead the party at the 15th General Convention, according to party insiders.
