Commentary
On June 22, 2002 Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Paudel was in a hurry. He was on his way to New Baneshwor, where another leader and then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was waiting. He had just talked to Deuba on the phone, and made up his mind.
Deuba had offered Paudel the coveted post of president of Nepali Congress breakaway party NC (Democratic) and Paudel, having seen there were no prospects of him landing the post in NC, had decided to make the move.
Soon, leaders of the Deuba camp called Paudel’s home. “He’s left for Banewshor,” the reply came. But Paudel did not show up.
Having waited for hours, Nepali Congress (Democratic) elected Deuba as party president.
Having waited for hours, Nepali Congress (D) elected Deuba as party president.
Party leaders found out later what had happened that day. According to leaders in the know, Paudel received a call from Deuba’s rival Girija Prasad Koirala, the then party president, a few blocks away from Baneshwor.
And that made Paudel change his mind.
“Come meet me once, I will make you Congress president,” Koirala is learnt to have told Paudel.
Paudel then ordered his chauffeur to head to Mandikhatar, Koirala’s residence. His calculation was that NC (D) was a breakaway party, and the party’s president would be of no match to the mighty Congress party. He changed his mind instantly, giving an impression that loyalty is not his quality.
In 1995, when there was a row between GP Koirala and Krishna Prasad Sitaula about who gets to be Prime Minsiter, the ‘role’ that Paudel played helped Deuba land the post, party leaders still remember. His non-cooperation (as home minister) with Prime Minister GP Koirala during the peak of the Maoist insurgency, many believe, cost Koirala the post.
Koirala never kept the ‘promise’ he’d made that day, and Paudel, in the end, could neither be NC (D) nor NC president.
Koirala never kept the ‘promise’ he’d made that day, and Paudel, in the end, could neither be NC (D) nor NC president. He, however, tried many a time, withdrawing from the race at crucial times. Party insiders say Paudel is now seen as one of the most indecisive leaders in the Nepali Congress, and even when he goes around raising funds around the country, few party cadres take him seriously. He’s been to India to get New Delhi’s backing, but still, many Congress figures would say they would not be surprised if Paudel pulls out.
Paudel wants to become the ‘establishment’ faction’s candidate by convincing party President Sushil Koirala not to run this time. But even if that does not happen, he wants to contest against Deuba and Koirala, seen as the frontrunners in the race.
The party rank and file may not believe Paudel when he says he’s serious this time, but there are reasons to believe this time he actually is. Party members are equally sceptical about Krishan Sitaula, and Sujata Koirala, who have also thrown their hats into the ring this time.
Paudel, now 71, has already become Speaker as well as Deputy Prime Minister. But he has never had the chance to exercise executive power.
Paudel, now 71, has already become Speaker as well as Deputy Prime Minister. But he has never had the chance to exercise executive power. He also holds the unfortunate record for losing the primeministerial election 17 times in a row.
He seems to have realised that this could be his last chance to claim party leadership. He is aging, and may not make it to the next general convention.
Family pressure
Sources have told Onlinekhabar Paudel is under immense pressure from his family members to have a go at the party leadership. His son Chintan, who returned from the UK after living there for years, is pressing his dad to strive for the post.
It would be difficult for Koirala to convince Paudel to let go his ambitions. This time, most probably, Paudel is not turning back.
