Former Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba had hoped to contest the elections one last time. On Monday, his name was included in the list submitted by his faction.

The Deuba camp had proposed candidates for around 82 constituencies, including of the people aligned with Shekhar Koirala. According to a leader involved in the negotiations, some constituencies even had two or three alternative names listed.

During discussions among negotiators from the three groups on Monday and Tuesday morning, an understanding was reached to distribute tickets with the signature of Party President Gagan Kumar Thapa. Following this, Deuba’s faction submitted a list of around 70 constituencies, with those remaining to go to the Koirala camp, to Thapa.

Deuba’s wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, was not on the list. As Sher Bahadur Deuba wanted to contest one last time, a single name from his home district, Dadeldhura, was also proposed.

Thapa and Vice-president Bishwa Prakash Sharma, however, were keen to thwart Deuba. The proportional representation list submitted bore Deuba’s signature and included mostly his preferred candidates. In the direct elections, Deuba’s faction also claimed a significant number of candidates, raising concerns for Thapa and Sharma.

Even as the special general convention continued at Bhrikutimandap, Thapa and Sharma urged Deuba to take a break from active politics. They wanted him to step back not only from the party presidency but also from parliamentary politics. Deuba had proposed either declaring he would not contest or endorsing a future prime ministerial candidate. When the talks failed, the convention elected a new central working committee.

Deuba’s attempt to contest from Dadeldhura and influence candidate selection made Thapa and Sharma worry that he could still stake a claim for prime minister. As a result, ticket distribution was delayed in many areas. After a prolonged debate on whether to give him a ticket, Deuba himself announced he would not contest, around midnight.

“Deuba announced he would not run to avoid sending the wrong message in case he was denied a ticket,” said a party official.

Deuba, who has represented parliament continuously since 1991, now faces an unexpected political pause. The Dadeldhura ticket went to former Nepal Student Union President Nain Singh Mahar, marking Deuba’s exit from both party and parliamentary politics. His departure, driven by timing and circumstances, was not a smooth one.