Why Is Shekhar meeting NC lawmakers after talks with Bhandari, Dahal?

KATHMANDU: Dr Shekhar Koirala, who leads the anti-establishment faction of the Nepali Congress (NC), has organized a meeting of lawmakers close to his faction.

The meeting is currently underway at Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu. The agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed.

According to a leader close to Dr Koirala, the meeting has been called to discuss contemporary political issues. “Discussions are being held on matters concerning politics and the party’s interests,” the leader said.

NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, who was once considered aligned with Koirala’s faction, was absent from the meeting.

Koirala has intensified his discussions with leaders of other parties in recent weeks. Last week, he held long discussions with former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who is preparing to return to active politics with CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Koirala is among many leaders, including those from the ruling coalition, who have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s performance. In the most recent meeting of the Central Working Committee of the NC, Koirala said that the coalition government had failed to function as per the seven-point agreement between the NC and the UML. He also criticized the government for growing corruption, increasing irregularities and the lack of good governance.

With two UML ministers recently implicated in a bribery deal, Koirala has intensified his call for improved governance. According to leaders close to him, he has been reaching out to leaders of other parties to gather support for his campaign.

Some NC leaders say Koirala’s increased activity signals the formation of a front against party President Sher Bahadur Deuba. It is also being speculated that he is exploring alternatives to the current government — a motive that reportedly prompted Sunday’s gathering of his faction’s lawmakers.