Election for new leadership inevitable as talks fail

KATHMANDU: The selection of new leadership looks certain in Nepali Congress (NC) as a meeting between party President Sher Bahadur Deuba and two General Secretaries, Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, failed to yield any positive outcomes.

In the meeting held at Deuba’s residence in Baluwatar, Gagan and Bishwa demanded that the party president step down to give a way out to the current crisis, leaders say. However, Deuba told them he won’t step down, stating that the regular general convention is only three months away and he would contest for party leadership again.

“The general secretaries proposed that the party president return to the situation before his trip to Singapore,” a leader who attended the meeting said. “But there was no response from the president. They also proposed that someone else be authorized to sign candidates’ tickets. On that issue, the president appeared somewhat flexible.”

The 2nd Special General Convention is currently underway at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. Supporters of the convention have claimed that more than 60% of general convention delegates are attending the convention.

“The special convention will now proceed with electing the new leadership of the party,” the leader said.

If the general convention indeed elects new leadership, the establishment faction of the party is certain to challenge its legal validity at the Election Commission and the court.