While President Sushil Koirala is in favor of an electoral alliance with “democratic forces”, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has turned down the idea. Likewise, Vice President Ram Chandra Paudel said it was too early to say anything about any electoral alliance.[break]
Responding to media persons over whether the NC would forge an alliance with other parties for election, NC President Koirala said the party could forge an alliance with other parties. The UCPN (Maoist) has already announced to forge an alliance with various constituent parties of the Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA).
Seated together with President Koirala, senior leader Deuba and Vice President Poudel immediately reacted against Koirala´s remarks. While Deuba argued that the party would not opt for an electoral alliance, Paudel said it is too early to comment on the issue.
Koirala was then overheard whispering to Deuba not to make conflicting remarks on the issue of electoral alliance. “We should all say the same thing on the issue Sher Bahadur ji. Our remarks should be unanimous. Let us not make conflicting remarks. This will go to the media,” Koirala was overheard whispering to Deuba.
Local leaders and activists of the party gathered at NC district office, Kaski were discussing the issue after the conflicting remarks of top three leaders. “We can even forge an alliance with small parties for the election. There could be an alliance with those believing in democracy,” Koirala said.
“But the party has not taken any formal decision as of yet.” Koirala argued that NC should be ready for an alliance if the situation so demanded.
However, Deuba maintained that there is no possibility of NC forging an electoral alliance with any party. “There is no need for an alliance. Those parties that have recently split may need an alliance. We do not need any alliance as our party remains intact,” he added.
Vice President Poudel refuted the remarks of both Koirala and Deuba.” “This is something to be decided later. We are in no hurry to comment on the issue,” Paudel said.
Related story
NC President blames electoral system for electoral alliance
