• Over 3,000 representatives will elect the party’s new president

Kathmandu, February 6

Following the completion of constituency-level conventions in 190 constituencies out of 240, each of the two factions of Nepali Congress-led by party president Sushil Koirala and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba have claimed that a majority of National General Convention representatives were elected from their sides.

Both sides claimed that they secured over sixty percent majority.

Ananda Prasad Dhungana from the establishment side said an overwhelming majority was in the support of the establishment side as per preliminary reports gathered from various districts via phone.

The establishment side would also secure majority in most of the constituencies of province 2 of Tarai, he claimed.

He said the establishment side gained majority in many districts, including Sunsari, Udayapur, Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Makawanpur, Nawalparasi, Pyuthan and Dang. It will take at least a week to get a clear picture as 50 constituencies are yet to hold conventions, according to him.

Prakash Sharan Mahat from the Deuba faction, however, said the faction has led in many districts, including Jhapa, Chitwan, Kaski, Syangja, Nepalgunj, Morang and Rupandehi.

“We have gained over 60 per cent majority and we hope we can win the support from many neutral voters as party workers are in support of change in the party and party leadership,” he said.

Conventions will be held by Monday in remaining 50 constituencies, including 14 districts of Karnali and some mountain districts and six districts of Tarai, including Bara, Parsa, Sarlahi, Siraha, Dhanusha and Saptari, according to Radheshyam Adhikari, coordinator of Election Committee of the party.

In the Nepali Congress’s NGC to be held from March 3-6 in Kathmandu, more than 3,000 representatives will elect new president and other office bearers of the party’s Central Working Committee for a new term. Both the factions are busy making calculations about which side has emerged stronger.

Deuba faction has already declared his intent to contest for the post of party president.

The Koirala faction, however, has yet to decide on the party presidential candidate.