Valley
Leadership void feared
The sudden and unexpected demise of Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala ahead of the party’s scheduled 13th General Assembly has left the party in a crisis.Anil Giri
The sudden and unexpected demise of Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala ahead of the party’s scheduled 13th General Assembly has left the party in a crisis.
With the party already sharply divided in the run-up to the March convention, Koirala’s absence will complicate the challenges to keep the party united while successfully concluding leadership transition after the convention.
Koirala was widely expected to run for party president again even as other leaders in the establishment faction had openly expressed their intent to vie for the top post.
With Koirala’s demise, the field is wide open in the establishment camp. Some worry that this will lead to further fragmentation within the party.
“Though it is too early to predict the outcome, time has come for us to exercise restraint and have coordination,” said NC leader Arjun Narsingh KC, who sees keeping the party whole as the main challenge.
“His demise has definitely added challenges ahead of the general convention. Besides, the NC, as the biggest party in Parliament, has key role in national politics too,” said KC.
The party has postponed all its programmes related to the convention till February 14.