Nepali Congress (NC) leader Shekhar Koirala has said that he has “politically mature” to take the party reins in the upcoming general convention.

Speaking at a press meet in Biratnagar on Wednesday, Koirala said that he would vie for the party presidency and set off on a nationwide tour soon for the purpose. Arguing that the NC youth leaders should not stake their claims to the party’s top post in haste, the NC central member said the party was built on the zeal of the youths and the experience of the matured leaders.

“I’ve matured politically and ready to take the party leadership in the next general convention,” he added.  

Koirala went on to say that he would initiate a signature campaign if party President Sher Bahadur Deuba did not keep his word to call the central committee meeting immediately. “Mahasamti meeting should be called to amend the party statute in line with the new federal structure. All rights of area presidents should be passed on to local level chiefs by amending the party constitution,” said Koirala.

However, he was not in favour of changing the party leadership through a special general convention. “The party must start making preparations for the party general convention as soon as the Mahasamiti meeting amends the party statute,” he said. Demanding a thorough investigation into the defeats of party leaders in the recent federal parliament and provincial assembly elections, Koirala called for stringent action against those who betrayed the party and party’s candidates.