Valley
Koirala clan counts for Cong candidates
As the party’s 13th General Convention gets closer, Nepali Congress presidential hopefuls are all trying to rope in members of the Koirala clan to ensure their victory.Kamal Dev Bhattarai
As the party’s 13th General Convention gets closer, Nepali Congress presidential hopefuls are all trying to rope in members of the Koirala clan to ensure their victory.
Acting President Ram Chandra Poudel, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and General Secretaries Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Prakash Man Singh are seeking the support of Shekhar Koirala, Shashank Koirala and Sujata Koirala, key leaders of the Koirala family that has led the country’s oldest political party for most of its history. Sujata herself has announced her candidacy for the top party post in the convention that takes place on March 3-6.
According to NC sources, the president candidates are offering key positions to the Koiralas to secure their backing. There is a belief among the presidential hopefuls that having endorsement of the Koirala family would give them an edge, said NC leader Gagan Thapa. Though Shashank and Shekhar do not have their solid organisational base, they are being sought out widely by the top leaders.
“A big chunk of the old cadres respects the Koirala family due to the role played by the late BP Koirala,” said Thapa. After the demise of Congress president Sushil Koirala, there is competition between Poudel, Sitaula and Singh to become the leader of the establishment camp.
Senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba is equally keen to get the endorsement of the Koiralas. He has already offered lucrative posts to Shashank and Shekhar, according to party insiders.
“The Koirala family has a long legacy and has made significant contribution to the party. Clearly, this needs recognition. We are ready to ensure a post of general secretary for a member of the Koirala clan,” said NC leader Prakash Sharan Mahat, a leader close to Deuba. “Though there are many leaders senior to the Koiralas, we could accommodate them for the sake of party unity.”
It is not yet clear which presidential candidate the Koiralas will collectively endorse. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Shashank said the upcoming convention should end factionalism in the party and that he was ready to act to achieve that goal. “I inherit the legacy from Krishna Prasad Koirala to BP Koirala. I have also the vision to provide the party future directions, “Shashank said, without elaborating.
“As a family, we’ll be standing together no matter who we choose to support. We only want to see the party united,” said Shekhar. According to party leaders, Singh, Sitaula and Poudel are preparing to announce their candidacies within this week. Poudel, however, is in consultation with Singh and Sitaula to become the faction’s official candidate.
Sujata bats for more office bearer posts
MORANG: Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala has stressed the need for more office bearers in the party.
Sujata argues that the party organisation will be stronger if proper posts and responsibilities are assigned to the central leaders. “The party’s central committee will meet on Tuesday. There will be discussion about increasing the posts of the office bearers,” Sujata said in Biratnagar on Monday. She suggested creating new posts of vice-presidents and general secretaries.
Even though she has announced her bid for the party president, Sujata claimed that there would be a single presidential candidate from the establishment faction. (PR)