Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress Vice President Purna Bahadur has intensified meetings with leaders of different political parties. He is active in political meetings since his return to Kathmandu following his victory in the Surkhet-1 constituency of the House of Representatives.
Khadka, who meet CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, on Thursday, held taks with CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal on Saturday. In both meetings, underlined the need to give give continuity to the ruling coalition, according to members of his secretariat.
It has been learned that Khadka has been assigned the task of forging consensus on government formation among coalition partners. Khadka discussed issues like the government leadership, sharing ministerial portfolios, posts of the President, Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and chairpersons of parliamentary committees, among others, with the leaders of the two coalition partners.
During the meetings, the leaders also discussed the possibility of including other parties in the ruling coalition, according to Khadka’s secretariat member.
As Khadka is one of the four members of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s kitchen cabinet, Deuba’s decision to select Khadka to hold talks with other party leaders is seen with great significance in the party.
Another member of Deuba’s kitchen cabinet, Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand was defeated in the election. The other two – Gyanendra Bahadur Karki and Prakash Sharan Mahat – are known to stay closer to Deuba and promote factionalism instead of holding talks with leaders of other political parties. That is why Deuba is believed to have assigned the task to Khadka.
Khadka used to be one of the confidants of former party president late Krishna Prasad Koirala. In his long political career, Khadka has always kept himself away from disputes. Khadka, who respects Bhattarai as his political guru, often reaches Badigaun to pay his homage to the late leader. After Bhattarai’s demise, he remained loyal to the late Khum Bahadur Khadka. Many say he rose to prominence in Nepali Congress from Khadka’s camp.
Responding to a query on whether Deuba is grooming him as a political heir, Khadka responded negatively. “I am only fulfilling my duties as a responsible office-bearer of the party,” he added.
However, Khadka has been leading the party in Surkhet since the 1980s. He was nominated to be the general secretary of the Nepali Congress in 2018. Khadka, who was elected vice president from the 14th general convention of the party, is said to be behind most of the political decisions that Deuba takes. That is why many know him as Deuba’s strategist. He has also been working to make the ruling coalition intact and united.
Responding to a query on whether Deuba is grooming him as a political heir, Khadka responded negatively. “I am only fulfilling my duties as a responsible office-bearer of the party,” he added.
Khadka said his activities are not guided by greed for power. “I am not concerned about my well-being. I have been working for the betterment of the country and the people. I will continue doing that in the coming days as well,” he added.
“In fact, I am involved in all party meetings. I have been meeting different leaders. As a responsible party worker, I perform whatever duty is assigned to me.”
Khadka, who is said to have played a crucial role in making the ruling coalition, has been assigned the responsibility of making the coalition stronger. Khadka is likely to become Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister if Deuba becomes the next prime minister, sources close to Baluwater said.
