Paudel offers to make Sitaula the leader of parliamentary party and assures Sujata DPM’s post in the next government

Kathmandu, February 29

None of the contenders for the post of Nepali Congress president today announced their panel and seem to be waiting for the others to make the first move.

Acting President Ramchandra Paudel today met Krishna Prasad Sitaula and tried to convince him to support his candidacy for the top party post but Sitaula urged Paudel to let the younger generation lead the party and assured him a respectable position in the party.

Sources claimed that Paudel had offered to make Sitaula the leader of the parliamentary party, while Sujata Koirala was assured of the post of deputy prime minister in the next government. But none of them agreed to Paudel’s offer.

A source close to Sitaula claimed that a large number of youth leaders were supporting Sitaula-led panel, with Gagan Thapa assured of general secretary’s post to establish younger generation in the NC leadership.

Sitaula is waiting for the establishment to announce its panel first.

Leaders in Paudel’s camp have been trying to woo Sitaula and Sujata Koirala.

Sujata, who is the daughter of former Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, said she would announce her team before the inauguration of the 13th National General Convention.

Addressing an interaction organised by Reporters Club here today, Ram Sharan Mahat claimed that he would also contest for the top post of the party if the leaders of the establishment faction of the party failed to unite.

Secretariat of Paudel’s election campaign has claimed that the establishment would try its best to announce its panel by Tuesday.

Party spokesperson Dilendra Badu said discussion continued today as well but leaders had not yet reached an agreement. Contenders for the top post will reveal their panels by Wednesday, he said.

Paudel’s panel may include Prakash Man Singh for the post of vice-president, Shashank Koirala and Ram Sharan Mahat for the posts of general secretary and Padma Narayan Chaudhary, Farmullah Mansur or Chandra Mohan Yadav as treasurer.

Senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, on the other hand, has been playing the waiting game to poach dissident leaders of the establishment. He already has Arjun Narsingh KC in his camp.

But Deuba also has his own set of woes. His close aides, Prakash Sharan Mahat and Bimalendra Nidhi, are opposed to give general secretary’s post to Arjun Narsingh KC.

NC Joint General Secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka, who is in Deuba camp, said no headway could be made today though meetings were held with party leaders and cadres.

Khadka is keen to contest for vice-president’s post and wants the post of treasurer for Pushpa Bhushal.