Valley
Supporters ask Poudel out of PP leader race
Some of his key supporters have advised senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel not to contest the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party (PP) leader election, allowing party President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s unopposed victory.Kamal Dev Bhattarai
Some of his key supporters have advised senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel not to contest the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party (PP) leader election, allowing party President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s unopposed victory.
Interestingly, the Koiralas are leading this line of argument. General Secretary Shashank Koirala and Central Working Committee (CWC) member Shekhar Koirala are among the influential leaders in the erstwhile establishment camp who have urged Poudel not to run for the post given his slim chance and his history of ‘losing elections’.
They are of the view that Poudel should give up the race in return for some key posts for himself and his supporters. They have argued that it will help to make the party united by ending factionalism. “Shashank advised Poudel to support Deuba in the PP leader election but Poudel refused to do so,” said a leader requesting anonymity. However, leaders such as Prakash Man Singh and Ram Sharan Mahat advised Poudel to fight for the PP leadership in order to keep the erstwhile establishment faction intact, according to leaders.
With strong differences within Poudel’s inner circle, his supporters have left it to Poudel’s judgment. Meanwhile, during a meeting with his supporters on Sunday, Poudel declared that he will fight for the PP leadership. Deuba has already announced his candidacy and is urging Poudel to support him. Krishna Prasad Sitaula, who fought for the party presidency, has not made his position clear. Sitaula has 10-12 votes which could prove decisive in the PP election, according to a leader.
“We are holding consultations with [our] supporters,” said NC leader Gagan Thapa, who fought for the general secretary post from the Sitaula panel in the party’s 13th General Convention. According to leaders, Sitaula is likely to support Deuba in PP imminent poll.
Deuba and Poudel are busy canvassing for the vote. Deuba had lost the last PP election to the late Sushil Koirala 105-89. But supporters of the newly-elected party chief claim that over a dozen parliamentarians have since switched sides. The NC has 206 MPs.