Kathmandu, January 6:

There is neck and neck competition for the leadership of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) among the Janajati organisations affiliated to it. The member organisations are busy in marathon meetings and are lobbying for different panels for the sixth national convention to begin here tomorrow.

Four candidates are fighting for the top post of the umbrella organisations of all the indigenous nationalities that comprise 40 per cent of the country’s total population. Three indigenous bodies have already declared their candidacy for the top post of NEFIN while existing general secretary Dr Om Gurung said he has been receiving pressure from various member organisations to be their leader for one more term. “I will not fight for the post of general secretary but will consider if the amended statute goes for presidential system,” he said.

Those fighting for the top post are Malla K Sundar of Newa Deya Daboo-a federation of Newar ethnic organisations, Pasang Sherpa of Topkegola Sewa Samiti and Sunil Rai of Kirat Rai Yayokkha besides Dr Gurung. Sherpa is the finance secretary in the present committee.

Sundar said he was in constant touch with the member organisations and is preparing a joint panel. He, however, said that the statute do not allow a person or the organisation to repeat the term, as there are over 54 different ethnic organisations waiting for their turn in the leadership. “Why should we advocate for inclusiveness if we cannot practice it within ourselves,” he said. While another candidate Rai said it is not the question of who is going for the top post but “who can lead the Janajati movement at this critical juncture”.

The slogan for the convention is “Federal democratic republic on the basis of national regional autonomy”. “The convention will raise voice for the restructuring of the state, among others,” Dr Gurung said. A five-member committee has been formed under the leadership of Ramji Kongren Yakkha to amend the present statute.