National
Deuba under pressure to pull out of PP race
Top leaders of Nepali Congress (NC) have intensified pressure on party President Sher Bahadur Deuba not to contest Parliamentary Party (PP) election. They urge second generation leaders should be given opportunity to take PP leadership.Top leaders of Nepali Congress (NC) have intensified pressure on party President Sher Bahadur Deuba not to contest Parliamentary Party (PP) election. They urge second generation leaders should be given opportunity to take PP leadership.
NC will hold PP leader election on March 5 and its three-member party committee is making preparations for it. Nomination of PP leader election will take place on Friday.
President Deuba and senior leader Prakash Man Singh have announced their candidacy for the PP leader’s post. Not only the rival faction led by senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, General Secretary Shashank Koirala and youth leaders of the party have said Deuba should not to retain the post of PP leader. In an effort to select PP leader on the basis of consensus, General Secretary Koirala organised a lunch meeting with party leaders on Wednesday.
The lunch meeting served as an opportunity to hold discussion among leaders about forging consensus on PP leader, according to leaders.
“Party is passing through a difficult phase so Deubaji should not contest election. He should give opportunity to new leaders of the party,” senior leader Poudel told reporters. After the party faced a humiliating defeat in the recently concluded elections of House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly, Poudel criticised Deuba. Deuba is under pressure to take measures to reform the party.
Speaking to reporters, both Deuba and Singh reiterated their stance that they will contest for PP leader. “I am going to contest the PP leader,” Deuba told reporters.
Singh said he could reconsider his candidacy if there are prospects of consensus. “I have already announced my candidacy, but I would reconsider if there are chances of consensus,” Singh said.
Both Deuba and Singh are projecting themselves as consensual candidates. Singh is the senior leader of Poudel faction who won the election from Kathmandu-1.
General Secretary Koirala has started consultations with both camps in order to forge a consensus. “The position of PP leader is not an important issue. This is the time to unite the united and send a message to cadres,” Koirala said to media persons.
According to leaders, Koirala plans to hold discussions with Poudel, Deuba and Singh to forge consensus on PP leader. Koirala has reportedly told Deuba he will give a consensual candidate after holding talks with party leaders. Koirala desires to become PP leader through consensus.
A group of youth leaders have already urged Deuba to give up the post of PP leader.
Of late, Koirala is not taking the sides of both Poudel and Deuba stating that factional feud in the party must come to an end. Despite the call not to contest again, Deuba is in mood to retain the post. Deuba has strong hold in 63-member House of Representatives. According to leaders about 40 lawmakers would support Deuba if there are elections. The PP leader is regarded as a prime ministerial candidate of the party.