Presidential hopefuls from the Nepali Congress establishment faction and the camp led by Sher Bahadur Deuba are in a wait and see mood about announcing their panels for the party’s general convention that begins on Thursday.

While Deuba is in a relatively better position to announce his team, Acting President Ram Chandra Poudel faces an uphill task. Given the presence of multiple candidates in the establishment faction, Poudel risks alienating some influential leaders regardless of how he puts together his team against Deuba. Deuba is holding off any announcement on his team in order to rope in disgruntled leaders from the establishment faction. This is precisely why he has strongly opposed Poudel’s plan to increase the number of office bearers. Arjun Narsingh KC is likely to run for general secretary on Deuba’s side.

But not everyone from Deuba faction believes that KC can make significant contribution to the camp. KC may win his own election but he may not increase votes for Deuba, a leader said.

“There are several capable leaders in our camp who can fight for general secretary. We are approaching KC with the belief that he can help increase votes for Deuba as the party president,” said Deuba’s closest ally Prakash Sharan Mahat.

Even as KC’s candidacy has not been formally announced, he has already started his campaign. “While a final decision is yet to be made, I am certain about competing for the general secretary position from the Deuba camp,” KC told the Post.

Deuba faction is also approaching youth leader Gagan Thapa offering him the post of second general secretary to be nominated after the convention. Deuba supporters say it could help attract votes from the establishment camp as well as youth voters. So far, Thapa is preparing to compete for general secretary, together with Krishna Prasad Sitaula as the president. Deuba faction has not zeroed in on one name for the post of treasurer.

Poudel, Sitaula and Sujata Koirala are closely watching each other’s moves, while holding intensive negotiations for reaching a deal. Leaders close to Poudel said they have not finalised the team as consultations are going on at different levels.

“We are hopeful of a deal with Sitaula by Tuesday,” said a Poudel supporter. Minendra Rijal and Shekhar Koirala are in regular touch with Sitaula on Poudel’s behalf. Sitaula has been telling Poudel that he is firm on his decision to run for the top party post.

Even though Poudel’s team is in the making, a picture has emerged by Sunday evening. Prakash Man Singh is likely to compete as the vice-president and Shashank Koirala as the general secretary. No name for the treasurer has been offered. Poudel offers the nominated general secretary to Ram Sharan Mahat

but he could leave other key supporters such as Dilendra Badu, Shekhar Koirala, and Ananda Prasad Dhungana disgruntled.

Deuba scuttles Poudel’s plan

KATHMANDU: Due to a disagreement among top leaders of the party, a proposal on increasing the number of NC office bearers has not been tabled at the Central Working Committee.

With this, the chances of expanding the party nucleus, which Acting President Ram Chandra Poudel is pressing for to accommodate senior leaders, are slim. The faction led by senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba strongly opposes the plan arguing that more members are not necessary in the key body. The faction maintains that there is no need for change at the top when the party structures in districts, electoral constituencies and villages remain the same.

Later, presidential hopefuls Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Sitaula also opposed the statute amendment proposal. The CWC, however, has passed a proposal on electing two CWC members each from seven federal units, instead of the current representation of one member from each of the 14 zonal committees. A team led by Ananda Prasad Dhungana has prepared a proposal to amend the party statute to create additional posts. Similarly, the current size of the CWC (85-member) remains unchanged.

The CWC meeting on Sunday endorsed the party’s policy and programme which will be presented to the upcoming general convention. Earlier, the policy draft prepared by Acting President Poudel had drawn criticism. Poudel had improved on the paper by incorporating the suggestions of the CWC members. Still, leaders say the draft policy fails to provide clear directions to the party.