Miscellaneous
NC nominations before Dashain
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has begun internal discussions with his close aides on nominating party office bearers and giving the central body its full shape before Dashain festival, which begins on October 8.Sarin Ghimire
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has begun internal discussions with his close aides on nominating party office bearers and giving the central body its full shape before Dashain festival, which begins on October 8.
Though the party statute states that all nominations should be made within two months of the general convention, the party leadership of late had to deal with some of the other pertinent issues, including a change in the government, elections of sister organisations and growing factionalism within the party.
The party held its general convention in March.
A faction led by senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel on Tuesday had also urged the party leadership to give at least 45 percent stake to their team in all nominations and while appointing state ministers.
But party leaders say the party will only be able to send its state ministers after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s trip to India, which begins on September 15.
According to leaders, Deuba is considering a few names as office bearers. Bal Krishna Khand and Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, both of whom rose through student politics, are two of the most talked about names for the post of general secretary.
Khand is said to be widely popular among party cadres and is considered a leader who has won over the masses. Karki, on the other hand, is said to have minimal base among cadres and within the party and he is yet to establish himself as a major national leader, party leaders say.
“But since Khand was sent to the government, the party leadership, it appears, is preparing to nominate Karki,” said a leader on condition of anonymity.
Khand holds the Ministry of Defence portfolio.
For the vice presidency post, though Deuba has wished to nominate Bimalendra Nidhi, his most trusted aide who comes from the Madhesi community, leaders say the process is not as easy. Khum Bahadur Khadka, who has been claiming that Deuba had pledged to nominate him as the vice president in return for the support he extended to elect the threetime former prime minister the party chief in March, has warned of withdrawing support to Deuba if “promises aren’t fulfilled.”
All nominations should be endorsed by a majority of the elected central committee members, and if Khadka withdraws support, Deuba is likely to fall in minority. In that case, the party leadership is ready to hold the nomination of vice president and figure out a way to eventually nominate Nidhi later, leaders claim.
“Deuba is well aware of the fact that he will have to face intense public scrutiny if he nominates a person who is convicted of corruption by the Supreme Court and has already spent jail time,” said the leader.
Gopal Man Shrestha, who is also considered close to Deuba, is likely to be given the post of deputy parliamentary party leader.
For the post of joint general secretary, Man Bahadur Bishwakarma is said to be the frontrunner.
Party insiders have advised Deuba to nominate Bishwakarma, a Dalit leader, to make the office bearers group more inclusive.
If Khadka settles for the joint general secretary post for his faction, Pushpa Bhusal is likely to be picked.
As for Poudel’s faction, Deuba is not said to be positive about giving them any plum post since that would have their team in majority.
The other two elected office bearers—general secretary Shashanka Koirala and Treasurer Sita Devi Yadav— are both from the Poudel faction.