Tough negotiations are under way in the establishment side of the Nepali Congress for having only one candidate for the party president’s post when there are only four days left for the NC’s 13th National General Convention to begin.The rival faction led by senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba is closely observing things to see whether the disgruntled elements from the establishment faction could be brought to his fold. Infighting among leaders of the establishment side continues as the four aspirants — Ramchandra Paudel, Prakash Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Sujata Koirala are preparing their candidacy for the post although Paudel, Shashanka Koirala and Ram Sharan Mahat are working hard to forge consensus among the four.
A meeting between Paudel, Shashanka Koirala and Mahat held in Maharajgunj today discussed various options for forging consensus among leaders of the establishment side. “As Sitaula seems rigid and all geared to fight for the party presidency, it is still unclear whether Singh and Sujata Koirala will file their candidacy although they also are claiming the party’s top post,” said sources at the establishment side.The establishment side is preparing to announce its candidacy by Monday, according to sources. Sitaula’s supporters today held a gathering at Rastriya Nachghar in Jamal and stressed that Sitaula was the only capable candidate from the younger generation to lead and drive the party as he has closely worked with late Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala and thus represents the establishment side in the real sense of the term.
