KATHMANDU, Aug 23: Former General Secretary of the Nepali Congress (NC), Shashank Koirala, has said he must become the party president in the upcoming general convention in order to rebuild the party in the spirit of BP Koirala’s era.
Although the date for the party’s 15th General Convention has not yet been finalized, NC leaders have long been preparing for it. However, Shashank, one of three sons of BP Koirala, who had so far remained silent on the issue of party leadership, announced for the first time on Friday in Janakpur—during a program organized by NC Dhanusha—that he would contest for party president.
“I want to build the Nepali Congress as it was during BP Koirala’s time. That is why I must become the party president,” he said. “I left behind a life where I could earn millions, but I chose politics. I have no greed. I am here to strengthen the Nepali Congress and serve Nepal and the Nepali people.”
Recalling how his grandfather, Krishna Prasad Koirala, sacrificed thousands of bighas of land and even died in prison for the sake of Nepal and the Nepali people, Shashank said he would unite the party and work for the interests of the nation and its citizens.
“That is why, in the upcoming general convention, I expect your support. Please support me, and I will build the Congress you desire,” he added.
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Known for being reserved and less visible in political meetings and programs, Shashank had often been criticized for waiting for party president Sher Bahadur Deuba’s moves. However, he appeared in Janakpur to attend the memorial program of late NC leader Pradip Giri, where, for the first time, he publicly declared his intention to run for party president and sought support. His close aides say he has begun preparations for the presidency from Madhesh Province.
Urmila Thapaliya, a central member close to Shashank, claimed that meetings and gatherings are already taking place with the aim of making him a candidate for president in the 15th General Convention. “Dr. Shashank has formally started his campaign for party president from Madhesh Province. This is just the beginning, and he will now advance with convention-focused programs and meetings,” she said.
During the 14th General Convention, Shashank’s cousin, Shekhar Koirala, contested for president, while Shashank remained silent—a move NC leaders believe benefitted NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba. According to the party statute, Deuba cannot contest again for president in the upcoming convention.
Some leaders claim Deuba had assured Shashank of becoming his successor at that time, which explains his silence so far.
Meanwhile, the “lunch meetings,” initially started by Shashank Koirala (son of BP Koirala), Prakashman Singh (son of Ganeshman Singh), and Bimalendra Nidhi (son of Mahendra Narayan Nidhi), gradually expanded to include leaders like Gopalman Shrestha, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, and Prakash Sharan Mahat, who have been gathering at one another’s residences.
Although all of them aspire to become president in the next convention, they have said only one candidate will eventually be fielded among them. However, while scheduled lunch meetings and planned programs of former office bearers could not take place recently, Shashank went ahead and announced his candidacy.
At the same time, Shashank’s elder brother Shekhar has already been running convention-focused programs for some time. He has been meeting party leaders and cadres not only in Kathmandu but also across districts.
Earlier, in February, 11 leaders—including office bearers and former office bearers—urged party president Deuba to designate his successor. Seven of the former office bearers involved in the lunch meetings are also aspirants for leadership in the upcoming convention.
All of them are trying to get close to Deuba, eager to become his chosen successor, since the party statute bars Deuba from contesting for the third term.
The NC statute prohibits anyone from holding the presidency for more than two consecutive terms. It is certain that the general convention will not be held within four years, and uncertainty has also grown over whether it will be held within the additional one-year extension provided by the statute.
According to the statute, the four-year term of the Central Working Committee elected by the general convention will expire this November. The statute allows for a one-year extension, meaning NC would have until November 2026 to hold the convention.
Furthermore, under constitutional provisions, every political party must hold its general convention within five and a half years. NC has used this provision in the past, and leaders plan to use it again, which would give the party until mid-June 2027 to organize the 15th General Convention.
