KATHMANDU, Nov 8: As some political parties gear up for the next federal election, scheduled three years from now, second-rung leaders from the two major parties—Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML—are already maneuvering to secure top positions within their respective parties.
Within the NC, the largest party in the federal parliament, second-tier leaders are intensifying efforts to position themselves as contenders for the party presidency, while CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli now faces a new rival as former president Bidya Devi Bhandari eyes the top leadership of the party in the upcoming general convention.
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NC leader Dr Shekhar Koirala, who finished as the runner-up in the presidential race during the 14th General Convention of the NC in December 2021, has been working tirelessly to become the party’s top leader since his defeat. A group of youth leaders within the NC has recently ramped up efforts to garner support for him, as Koirala continues to build momentum among party leaders and cadres.
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General Secretary Gagan Thapa, who ran as Koirala's running mate in the 14th General Convention, is also a contender for the top leadership from the rival faction. Insiders say Thapa is quietly working to strengthen his support base ahead of the upcoming general convention.
According to the NC statute, current President Sher Bahadur Deuba will be ineligible to run for the presidency again, as he will have completed two terms by the next general convention in 2026. There is still no clarity regarding who will receive President Deuba’s backing.
Former General Secretary Dr Shashank Koirala has publicly stated that Deuba has promised him his support in the 15th General Convention. Meanwhile, other aspirants for the presidency include former vice president Purna Bahadur Khadka, Bimalendra Nidhi, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, and Prakash Man Singh.
Each of these leaders seeks Deuba's support for their presidential bids. However, Deuba is yet to make any commitments, according to insiders. "President Deuba wants to secure a position for his wife, Dr Arzu Deuba, within the party. Anyone willing to pledge the top office-bearer’s post to her is likely to win his support. All the potential candidates from the establishment faction are ready to do so if they secure Deuba’s backing," claimed a senior NC leader from the faction.
Oli faces new rival as former prez Bhandari eyes leadership
In the UML, the second-largest party, Prime Minister and Chairman KP Oli has indicated his intention to run for chairmanship again in the upcoming general convention. However, his goal of securing unanimous re-election seems unlikely, as former president Bidya Devi Bhandari is preparing to challenge him.
Bhandari, who carries the legacy of one of the party’s influential leaders, the late Madan Bhandari, who propounded the idea of ‘People’s Multiparty Democracy’, has renewed her UML membership and stepped up meetings with second-rung UML leaders. The party is expected to hold its general convention in the next two years.
The two-time president, Bhandari, had resigned from her UML affiliation when she was first elected as the head of state. Oli, who helped elect Bhandari as president for two consecutive terms, has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with her return to active party politics, viewing her as a potential rival.
Several senior UML leaders, including Bishnu Paudel, Prithvi Subba Gurung, Gokul Banskota, Bhim Rawal, Yogesh Bhattarai, and Surendra Pandey—many of whom are disillusioned with Oli—are reportedly in talks with Bhandari. Sources claim Bhandari has also been meeting with leaders of other leftist parties, such as CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
UML insiders suggest that Bhandari hopes to unite all leftist parties under a single banner. "Former president Bhandari aims to become the executive chairperson of a unified communist party. A section of leaders within the UML, Maoist Center, and other fringe leftist parties are working toward this goal," said a senior UML leader on condition of anonymity.
