The ruling Nepali Congress remains sharply divided over the issue of future prime minister with at least two senior leaders, including Prime Minister and Party President Sushil Koirala, expressing interest to lead the new government.

The party is likely to take up the issue on Wednesday at its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting where Koirala camp has a sizeable presence.

Party leaders close to senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba see him as the “logical” candidate from the party as Koirala had announced that he would not seek to retain the position after the promulgation of the constitution. Party Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel is also interested to become the PM if Koirala camp extends support.

But there are several factors that could contribute to a party decision, including the upcoming party general convention. A team of NC leaders have come together to re-elect Koirala as the next PM, with Arjun Narsingh KC leading the efforts. KC is busy holding consultations with other like-minded leaders, including Man Bahadur Bishwokarma, Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa.

Koirala supporters, who want a majoritarian government, believe that they can secure a majority joining hands with UCPN( Maoist) and Madhes based parties.

An alliance of the two largest parties in Parliament is against the parliamentary system who are rivals and competitors too, they said.  

The Deuba supporters have their own argument.

“Deuba is experienced in running coalition government,” said NC leader Bal Krishna Khand.

He claimed that when Koriala became the PM he had publicly announced that he would relinquish the power once constitution is promulgated. “In this spirit and in good faith, Koirala should step down and pave the way for Deuba,” Khand added.

A sizeable section of the party is against the reneging on the “gentlemen’s agreement” and wants NC to support CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli as the next prime minister.

NC Secretary General Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Joint Secretary General Purna Bahadur Khadka and senior party leader Sujata Koriala share the view. Khadka says the unity among the three parties is critical to overcoming challenges facing the country and implementation of the new constitution. For that all the past agreements need to be honoured, he said.