Senior Nepali Congress (NC) leader Sher Bahadur Deuba on Thursday formally announced his candidacy for party president, along with his candidates for general secretary and treasurer.

Deuba announced his team at the party headquarters in Sanepa, just two hours before the inauguration of the party’s 13th General Convention at Khula Manch.

Deuba has picked Arjun Narsingh KC, an establishment camp leader, as his candidate for the post of general secretary and Chitra Lekha Yadav, incumbent treasurer, for the same post. NC leader Kul Bahadur Gurung proposed Deuba’s candidacy, while Khum Bahadur Khadka seconded it. Gurung, known as a leader of the establishment faction, too has switched side to join the Deuba camp.

Khadka, a corruption convict, enjoys a considerable clout in the party. NC sources said Deuba, if he gets elected, is likely to appoint Khadka as the vice-president.

Deuba has already registered his candidacy at the party headquarters.

Along with Gurung, leaders who were considered to be close to the late leader Sushil Koirala, were present at the programme organised to announce Deuba’s candidacy.

Laxman Prasad Ghimire, Binaya Dhoj Chand, former Speaker Tara Nath Ranabhat, Shyam Ghimire and Chandra Bhandari among others were present at the programme.

In the 12th convention held in 2010, these leaders had supported the late leader Sushil Koirala, who was then elected the party president.

Speaking at the programme, Deuba urged party cadres to extend support to him and provide him with an opportunity to lead so that he could unite the party in a true sense.

“I will end factional politics in the party, so give me a chance,” Deuba urged.  The three-time prime minister is fighting for the post of party president for the third time.

Earlier, he was defeated by Girija Prasad Koirala and then by Sushil Koirala in the last General Convention.

In an interview with the Post on Tuesday, Deuba had said he had contested against Girija Prasad Koirala not to win, but only to protest against injustice done to him.

Deuba reiterated that he can take prompt decisions to resolve the problems faced by the party and the country.

General secretary candidate Arjun Narasingh KC said factional politics and syndicate system will come to an end if Deuba is given a chance to leading the party.

KC recently joined the Deuba camp.