Commentary
Last week, Nepali Congress not only lost its president Sushil Koirala, but also one of the front runners in the race to be elected party chief. Sushil Koirala, who was elected president during NC’s 12the general convention in September 2010, was preparing to announce his candidacy once again, and he, of course, had the backing of the Koirala family (a prominent lot in the party’s ‘establishment’ faction).
With Sushil gone, there were speculations about whom the establishment would back for the leadership of Nepal’s oldest surviving party.
With Sushil gone, there were speculations about whom the establishment would back for the leadership of Nepal’s oldest surviving party. But all doubt has been cleared, and two of the three key members of the family are now rooting for acting president Ram Chandra Koirala.
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Nona Koirala’s son Sekhar and BP’s successor Sashanka have realised that it would not be possible for a Koirala to lead the party for some time, they have decided to settle for general secretary. But the third Koirala, Sujata, is not on board. The other challenge for the Koirala cousins would be to mange the aspirations of party general secretaries Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Sitaula (no one took Sujata seriously when she announced her candidacy for president).
Sitaula and his ‘Girija babu card’
NC general secretary Sitaula claims that he is Girija Prasad Koirala’s true successor, and only he can continue GP’s legacy.
Sitaula tells Congress leaders, who write him off for his lack of popularity in the party, by saying that he promised GP that he would back Sushil, and he put all his effort into doing so.
He did it at the cost of his own political ambitions.
But with Sushil no more, the coast is clear for him to work on his own ambitions.
Prakash Man is not giving up easy
Ganesh Man Singh’s son Prakash Man believes that he is more popular than Paudel or Sitaula. Although Paudel wants to offer Singh the post of senior Vice-president, Singh is not convinced.
The management plan
The establishment faction is planning to propose an amendment to the party’s charter to introduce a provision of choosing three vice-presidents. It wants to accommodate Sitaula, Singh and Sujata by offering them VP positions, so that they do not split the establishment vote and help Sher Bahadur Deuba of the rival faction win.
Meanwhile, Congress senior leader Deuba, who heads the anti-establishment camp, is preparing for the big day, in peace. Everyone knows Deuba is their candidate, and (almost) everyone’s aspirations have been accommodated.
