Kathmandu, February 28

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba today said none but he would become the parliamentary party leader.

Deuba stated this during a lunch event organised by NC General Secretary Shashank Koirala on the occasion of Holi festival. “I am the candidate for NC PP leader, and I will become the leader too,” said Deuba talking to journalist during the event.

Addressing guests, Koirala underscored the need to maintain unity in the party. “Factionalism is not going to help,” he said. “If the current state of affairs continues for a long, it will be detrimental.”

Koirala has been saying that he will file his candidacy for the PP leader only if he is elected unanimously. But given the fact that leaders close to Deuba are in majority in the Parliament, chances of Deuba supporting Koirala are slim. Deuba is being persuaded by leaders of his not to back off as ‘two power centres’ in the party would further exacerbate factionalism.

However, exercise is also under way to ensure Koirala’s election to the PP leader post unanimously, with leaders including Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Pradeep Giri intensifying meetings, according to an NC leader.

Another PP leader aspirant Prakash Man Singh, who represents the camp led by senior leader Ramchandra Paudel, also announced his candidacy and urged Deuba not to contest the PP leader election.

“Deuba has already proved a failure after the party’s election defeat. Continuing with  a person, who has not been able to perform even after getting several opportunities at the helm, will further weaken the party,” he told journalists.

The NC will hold its parliamentary party leader election on March 5. According to member of the election committee Nabindra Raj Joshi, the election will be held on March 5 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. The committee will publish the electoral roll on March 4 at 4:30pm immediately after the swearing-in of members of Parliament.

The time for filing nomination has been set between 5:45pm to 7:15pm, while complaints can be lodged till 7:45pm. The candidates can withdraw their candidacy from 8:00pm on March 4 to 8:00am on March 5 before the election for the PP leader begins at 10:00 am.