KATHMANDU: The recent discord within the anti-establishment faction of the Nepali Congress (NC) appears to have resolved for the time being.
Dr. Shekhar Koirala, who leads the anti-establishment faction of the party, decided to postpone the meeting of leaders close to him scheduled for Tuesday, due to differences with NC General Secretary Thapa. The disagreement surfaced when Dr. Koirala scheduled the meeting without informing Thapa. After Thapa chose not to attend the meeting, leaders started making speculations that the faction was falling apart.
“Dr. Koirala set the dates for the gathering. But the message couldn’t be passed on to Thapa as attempts to establish contact failed,” revealed an NC leader close to Dr Koirala. “Later, we contacted Thapa’s secretariat member who promised to respond after consulting the general secretary but did not.”
Thapa contested the election for the post of general secretary position in the 14th party convention from Dr. Koirala’s panel. However, Dr. Koirala lost the election for the presidency to Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Given the pressure on Dr Koirala to mend ways with Thapa to take on the establishment faction, efforts were made to create a conducive environment for the two leaders to engage in talks and resolve their differences. NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC invited Dr Koirala and Thapa to his residence on Monday and facilitated their discussions. “Following Monday’s meeting, the animosity between the two leaders has subsided for the time being. All leaders will now participate in the gathering scheduled for Wednesday,” stated NC Central Committee member Madhu Acharya.
The gap between Dr. Koirala and Thapa widened when the former instructed Kedar Karki to disregard the party’s official directive to support the CPN (Maoist Center) to form the government in Koshi Province. Thapa also became cautious after Dr. Koirala sent names for ministerial appointments without consulting with him.
“The two leaders weren’t even on speaking terms, but now the ice has been broken,” mentioned an NC leader. “They have agreed to bridge their differences and move forward unitedly.”
Thapa has been expressing grievances that he did not get support from Dr. Koirala in the parliamentary leader election held in January. Incumbent President Sher Bahadur Deuba defeated Thapa in the election. Thapa received only 25 votes, even though 32 lawmakers of the party had openly said that they won’t vote for Deuba. Dr. Koirala had initially shown interest in contesting for the position but later agreed to support Thapa.
Thapa’s dissatisfaction grew when Dr. Koirala unilaterally submitted the names of Vice President Dhan Raj Gurung, Surendra Acharya and Dig Bahadur Limbu for ministerial appointments in the federal government. The breaking point occurred when Dr. Koirala directed Kedar Karki to defy the party’s decision to support Indra Angbo in forming the government in Koshi Province. NC had officially decided to support Indra Angbo of CPN (Maoist Center) to form the government in Koshi Province. However, eight province assembly members of NC and 39 members of UML supported Karki to government government. Dr Koirala instructed eight assembly members to revolt but didn’t feel it necessary to consult with Thapa.
Thapa was in favor of following the party leadership’s decision to ensure political stability in the province.
Why has the gathering been called?
The gathering has been called by Dr. Koirala to prepare for the upcoming Mahasamiti meeting of the party. Leaders are expected to hold discussions on recent political developments, the National Assembly election, and the Mahasamiti meeting.
NC is holding its work performance committee meeting on December 15. The meeting, however, is likely to postpone the Mahasamiti meeting. Both Dr Koirala and Thapa are against postponing the meeting.
While the two leaders have temporarily settled their differences, polarization within the anti-establishment faction as the general convention approaches cannot be ruled out. Both Dr. Koirala and Thapa are gearing up to contest the presidency in the next general convention of the party.
