KATHMANDU, Sept 30: Nepali Congress leader Dr Shashank Koirala has expressed confidence that the crisis within the party can be resolved through dialogue.
Speaking to Nagarik Frontline, Koirala said a solution could be found if the two rival factions sat down for talks.
“I am confident. I can bring both sides together. "I am in constant discussion with Sher Bahadurji, and I am also talking with Gaganji,” he said. “Dialogue is the only remaining option to unite the party. We need to open the door for talks and discuss the issues with an open mind.”
NC leader Shashank Koirala elected from Nawalpur-1
Koirala, who is also coordinator of the General Convention Organising Committee formed by the dissident faction, said Gagan Thapa is the party’s future leader. However, he advised Thapa to show magnanimity by allowing the upcoming General Convention to be held under Sher Bahadur Deuba’s leadership.
“Does Gagan want to be a leader only for the moment, or does he want to lead the party for the long term?” Koirala said. “He should show generosity by giving Sher Bahadur, who received the official mandate from the previous General Convention, the opportunity to hand over leadership to a new generation.”
Koirala said Thapa has a bright political future but needs to take a broader approach.
“My bottom line is that the upcoming General Convention should be held under Sher Bahadurji’s leadership,” he said.
Koirala also expressed dissatisfaction with judicial intervention in the dispute over the party’s official legitimacy. He argued that the court ruling had left the Nepali Congress divided into two camps.
The full interview with Koirala will be broadcast at 7 pm today.
