Deuba camp pushes back as calls for special convention gain ground

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has been thrown into a fresh debate over leadership transition after Central Working Committee member Arzu Rana Deuba, who is also the spouse of party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, reportedly called several senior leaders telling them they were “next in line” to lead the party.

Deuba and Rana are both under medical care at the Nepal Army hospital following injuries sustained during the Gen Z protests on September 9. Protesters had torched and vandalized their residence in Budhanilkantha and also manhandled the two. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters looting cash and liquor bottles. Rana has said the video clips are fake.

Rana reportedly called senior NC leaders, including Gopal Man Shrestha, from Deuba’s phone. She urged them not to support the call for a special convention, assuring them that the party presidency will eventually pass on to them.

NC leaders say Rana’s act has fueled suspicions that the Deuba couple is maneuvering to retain control of the party despite the octogenarian leader’s fragile health.

Deuba, who had been seen as next in line for the premiership as per an understanding reached with CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, now finds himself weakened—both politically and physically. Doctors treating him say he suffered head injuries from sharp weapons. He is unable to walk properly. Still, leaders close to him insist that Deuba will not step aside from the presidency any time soon.

Meanwhile, General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have revived calls for leadership change in the party in line with the spirit of the Gen Z protest. Some leaders, however, argue that raising the issue while Deuba is still in the hospital is inappropriate.

Speaking at a press meet recently, NC Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, a long-time Deuba loyalist, warned that questioning the leadership at this juncture was insensitive. “Our leader has suffered a grave attack. At the very least, discussions on succession should wait until his recovery,” he said.

Still, younger and sidelined leaders are pressing for generational change. They argue that if the NC fails to transform, it risks losing ground among disillusioned youth. Thapa, in a video message, admitted the party had failed to deliver on anti-corruption and governance reforms, but vowed to push for a broad restructuring through the upcoming general convention. “Without transformation and change in the party, it is no longer possible to embrace the sentiments of the youth. What we must do now is hold a general convention for a comprehensive restructuring of the party. We have no other option,” Thapa said.

While the party’s statute requires signatures from 40% of convention delegates to trigger a special convention, NC leaders say the momentum is building. “If Deuba prioritizes family interests over the party, members may be forced to act,” one senior leader said, adding that a proper handover through convention could still secure Deuba a respected place in the party’s history.

Rana’s phone calls to senior leaders have only deepened mistrust among senior NC leaders loyal to Deuba. “It seems that she is trying to buy time, but the party cannot be run on false assurances,” one leader said.