I was promised party vice presidency: Sujata

KATHMANDU, Oct 31: Foreign minister and newly-elected Central Working Committee (CWC) member of Nepali Congress, Sujata Koirala, on Sunday disclosed that party president Sushil Koirala had promised her vice presidential berth during the party´s 12th general convention.



Speaking at a press conference organized by Reporters´ Club Nepal in the capital, Sujata revealed that she withdrew her decision to contest for the post of general secretary during the general convention held in September after being promised vice presidential post in the party. [break]



"Sushil Koirala promised me the berth of vice president in front of Ram Chandra Paudel and Prakash Man Singh asking me not to contest for general secretary," she said. "Ram Chandraji also said that he will have no objection to the decision made by party president."



Sujata also hoped that President Koirala would not retract his words. "Political leaders do not retract their words," she further said. "I hope the president will change his decision."



Koirala´s remarks come at a time when speculations are rife that President Koirala is mulling nominating Ram Chandra Paudel for vice president of the party. Party president can nominate 21 CWC members including vice president, one general secretary and joint general secretary from among the elected CWC members to give full shape to the CWC.



Though President Koirala nominated his nearest rival in the presidential race Sher Bahadur Deuba as a CWC member, he has failed to nominate 20 CWC members and three officer bearers.



On the occasion, Sujata also alleged that conspiracies were being hatched from various quarters to do away with democracy in the country. "I do not see bright future for democracy," she said. "I have got indication of that."



She, however, denied saying categorically as who were conspiring against democracy. "There was threat from the king but not anymore," she added.



Koirala argued that NC should be ready to withdraw Paudel´s prime ministerial candidacy if this helps to reach agreement with the Maoists.



"But I don´t think that the withdrawal prime ministerial candidacy will help build consensus with the Maoists," she said.



She asked the Maoists to create an environment trust by implementing all the agreements reached in the past.

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