They demanded the party to recall her from the government, accusing her of breaching diplomatic norms and insulting India by canceling her trip. “She should be recalled if she stayed back to protest against the prime minister for not promoting her to the post of deputy prime minister,” said a CWC member quoting other members.
On the very onset of the meeting on Wednesday, CWC members had sought clarification on Sujata´s absence from Acting Vice President Sushil Koirala and party´s parliamentary leader Ram Chandra Poudel, who earlier had visited Sujata´s father Girija Prasad Koirala to know about her illness. The meeting discussed the issue for two and half hours, said the sources. The leaders also demanded that Sujata be punished for her move.
According to NC leaders, Sujata took the decision after the prime minister refused her father´s request to promote her to the post of deputy prime minister. They also opined that ambition of an individual (of Sujata) should not affect the present coalition.
Central Committee member Arjun Narsingh KC told myrepublica.com that the party had not taken any decision on her promotion to the post of deputy prime minister.
Some political pundits have taken Sujata´s move as prelude to change of guard in Singha Durbar. But Nepali Congress, in a statement issued after the meeting, reiterated its support to the government led by Nepal. “The Nepali Congress will continue its support to and participation in the present government led by Nepal,” the party said in the statement.
´Sujata was willing to go´
In the meantime, Sujata´s advisor Chiranjibi Nepal said that Sujata has been suffering from throat infection aggravated by fever and headaches since Tuesday morning. "She was willing to go even at the last minute, but since her doctor advised her to rest she decided to postpone her India visit," Nepal said.
He argued that she had "no political intention" behind the cancellation of her trip. He further added that her last India trip was "highly successful," and if she had any political reasons "she would have not gone for her last visit."
Sujata´s chief personal secretary Bharat Sapkota told myrepublica.com that the foreign minister "slightly felt better" on Wednesday. "She was extremely weak on Tuesday morning," he said.
kiran@myrepublica.com
akanshya@myrepublica.com
Related story
NC CWC members demand suspension of former Home Minister Bal Kr...
