The Office Bearer team of newly elected Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba could be dominated by those who either oppose federalism and secularism or have reservations over these agendas.

This could undermine Deuba’s ability to push the implementation of the new constitution by accommodating the agitating Madhes-based parties that view Deuba’s victory with optimism.

The views of General Secretary Shashank Koirala—the second most powerful leader in the party, who is known for his reservations over the federal and secular aspects of the new constitution, is in sharp contrast to Deuba’s image of a leader committed to inclusion, secularism and federalism.

Deuba is also likely to nominate Khum Bahadur Khadka, known for his pro-Hindu state campaign, as another general secretary or the vice-president to reward his instrumental role while canvassing for Deuba.

Khadka was convicted of corruption by the Supreme Court. Just before the constitution drafting process by the second Constituent Assembly, Khadka led a movement for reverting Nepal to a Hindu state. There were voices in the party to take action against Khadka for his campaign.

That Khadka leads the early tally in the ongoing vote count for the NC Central Working Committee members proves his strength in the party. Some in the Congress rank and file believe that Khadka fell victim to conspiracy while he was jailed for corruption.

Just before the general convention, Deuba had sought Khadka's support to ensure

his victory. Khadka is supposed to have a strong hold in the party organisations. “It could be difficult to bypass Khadka while taking decisions,” said a leader close to Deuba.

Political Analyst Shreekrishna Aniruddh Gautam said managing leaders with opposite views will be a challenge for Deuba. “There are speculations of some sort of understanding reached between Deuba and Khadka,” said Gautam.

Koirala will be key to Deuba’s effort to unite the party by bridging the vertical divide between the Deuba camp and the erstwhile establishment faction. But Koirala’s political line could put Deuba in a fix.

Just before the party’s 13th General Convention, Koirala said the party should review its position on federalism and secularism. If necessary, he said, the party should think of backtracking on its position. Koirala won the general secretary position with a wide margin.

Just before the convention, establishment faction leaders Laxman Prasad Ghimire, Kul Bahadur Gurung, Chiranjibi Wagle and Govinda Raj Joshi, who are opposed to federalism and secularism, joined the Deuba camp. Deuba welcomed them for the sake of his victory as the party chief.

But not everyone doubts Deuba’s political management skills.

“Deuba is fully committed to secularism, federalism and other political changes. Individual opinions of some leaders don’t matter. The NC cannot backtrack on its position, and I think Deuba will manage such voices,” said Prof Lokraj Baral. Under Deuba’s leadership, the NC remains committed to the new constitution and the political changes, he expressed his hope.

Ramesh Rijal, a Deuba supporter, said the party remains committed to the political changes though Deuba could face some difficulties. “The new constitution has been promulgated under the NC's leadership so Deuba will take a lead in its implementation,” said Rijal.

There are also voices in the camp that Deuba should not promote the anti-federal forces in the party.

Chief: Congress’ll take lead in constitution implementation

Newly elected President of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba said on Thursday that the party would take a lead in implementing the new constitution.

As the party having a major role in promulgating the new constitution, Deuba said the NC has the responsibility of implementing it in consensus with other political forces.

The chief of the largest party in Parliament said the demarcation of states and other contentious issues should be resolved as soon as possible. He, however, did not offer anything concrete on how to resolve the disputes concerning the provincial boundaries.

Speaking to a group of party-aligned student leaders at his residence in Budhanilkantha, Deuba said the party would take decisions on holding the conventions of its sister organisations after the Central Working Committee takes its complete shape.

The convention of the Nepal Student Union has not been held in the past decade due to a dispute among the rival factions of the party. Deuba said the leadership development process and issues related to education were affected due to the delay in electing a new NSU leadership. The conventions are necessary to make the party organisations vibrant, he said.

Old faces maintain lead

The vote counting of Nepali Congress Central Working Committee (CWC) members under open category continued on Thursday, with old faces Khum Bahadur Khadka, Prakash Man Singh, Shekhar Koirala maintaining their lead for the second consecutive day. Out of 400 votes counted till Thursday evening, Khadka topped the chart with 214, followed by Singh (213) and Shekhar Koirala (205).

Meanwhile, Farmullah Mansoor has been elected as party’s CWC member from the Muslim quota. He secured 1,222 votes against 1,044 of his closest rival Mohamad Aftab Alam. Mansoor, a long-time establishment faction leader, had joined the Sher Bahadur Deuba camp just before the 13th General Convention.