KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) central leaders have been sharply divided over the proposed collective leadership system during the party’s Mahasamiti meeting that began in the capital today.

The top three leaders — president Girija Prasad Koirala, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and acting president Sushil Koirala - seem to have a common view for continuing the current presidential system. While, vice-president Prakash Man Singh, general secretary Arjun Narsingh KC, among others, seem to have be for the proposed system.

The two top leaders, except for Deuba, have openly and explicitly opposed such system while Deuba has preferred not to support or oppose the system precisely and instantly. However, leaders close to Deuba say he wants the office bearers to be nominated by the president.

Office bearers are elected in the collective leadership system while they are nominated by president in the presidential system - the one in practice at present.

Addressing today’s inaugural session, NC president Koirala clearly said that the party should not discontinue the present presidential model.

“We should not curtail the rights of the president. I express confident that you (Mahasamiti members) would take decision in this spirit.”

Deuba, after the inaugural session, said, “We must follow a middle path to assimilate the spirit of all sides, which are sharply divided over whether to adopt collective leadership or to stick to the present model.”

Koirala, hinting at the party’s internal rift, said, “I urge you to give a message of unity through this meeting. We were united in the past, we are united at present and will remain so in future. And I want to hear the same from you.”

Requesting cadres and leaders to maintain unity, he said, “Let’s not make charges and counter charges and misbehave one another within the party.”

Acting president Sushil Koirala said, “We should adopt the presidential model. However, we must establish a trend of making organisational decisions through discussions in the party’s working committee.”

Vice president Ram Chandra Poudel, hinting at shortcomings in the party leadership at present, said, “If the leadership cannot show good capacity, uphold values, maintain discipline and make democratic and transparent decision, then the party’s future is not secured.”

Vice president Prakash Man Singh and joint general secretary Arjun Narsingh KC, however, pressed for collective leadership system.