After choosing its new leadership through its 13th General Convention on March 3-6, the Nepali Congress is gearing up for electing its Parliamentary Party leader, a post that has been lying vacant since the death of former party president Sushil Koirala.

The election date for PP leader has been proposed for April 4 though efforts are on to choose the leader through consensus.

If consensus bid fails, newly elected NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, who had lost to Deuba in the party presidency election, are again likely to vie for the PP leader. Both have already expressed their desire to become the PP leader.

Deuba on Wednesday called on Poudel at the latter’s residence in Boharatar to seek support. Deuba told Poudel that it is his legitimate claim for PP leader as a party president, according to Deuba aides.  

Deuba is said to have insisted that Poudel not fight the PP leadership election and assist him in getting elected unchallenged.

In response, Poudel made a similar plea to Deuba, urging the latter to support his candidacy for the PP leadership.

Speaking to Post, Poudel said they discussed the upcoming PP leader election but no concrete understanding could be reached.

Though other NC leaders such as Prakash Man Singh and Ram Sharan Mahat have also expressed their willingness to fight for PP leadership, Deuba and Poudel are likely to be the main contenders.

“I enquired about his plans to unite the party. He has told me that he is ready to end factional politics in the party,” Poudel said after his meeting with Deuba.

Poudel is also said to have urged Deuba not to overlook his associates while appointing officials to NC Central Working Committee (CWC).  

As per the party statute, Deuba will have to nominate one vice-president, one general secretary and one joint general secretary and a spokesperson. Similarly, Deuba will have to appoint 11 CWC members. “The country is going through a difficult situation which could be tackled only if the party remains united,” a leader quoted Poudel as saying in the meeting.