Kathmandu, March 8
With Nepali Congress senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba bagging the post of party President, political pundits are now turning their focus on the race for the post of general secretary. Counting of votes cast in the poll for this post will begin at NC party office in Sanepa at 1 am.
The contest for the position of NC general secretary has become quite interesting due to the candidates’s relations and lineage: Arjun Narsingh KC, his son-in-law Gagan Thapa and Shashank Koirala, son of BP Koirala, the charismatic Congress leader and one of its founders, are in the fray.
At the race for presidency, the battle royale was only between Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ramchandra Poudel. The third candidate, Krishna Sitaula, was supposed to steal away Poudel’s votes. And that is what happened.
But the race for general secretary is expected to be quite different. Between the three strong candidates, the race is too close to call.
Let’s now focus on these candidates’ chances of winning.
Gagan Thapa
Thapa is quite a popular figure. This factor makes him a candidate with high winnability. He believes that voters will rise above factional politics and vote for him. Those wanting the rise of youth leaders will undoubtedly vote for Thapa. In the 12th general convention of the Congress, Thapa had polled the highest number of votes while contesting for the post of party central working committee member.
In this convention, factional competition is rife. Thapa is from the Sitaula faction, the weakest among three NC factions in the fray for party leadership. So, the going will not be easy for Thapa this time.
Shashank Koirala
Lineage is one of the most important plus points for this leader. Shashank is son of BP Koirala, one of Nepali Congress’ founders and charismatic leader, who has left his mark in Nepali politics. Shashank’s untested in Nepali politics. And he is neither popular nor unpopular. He is considered a favourite of both Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ramchandra Poudel panels. So, he has a fair chance.
On the other hand, Shashank has not made a huge contribution to the party. He has never played a key role in national politics. Given these factors, winning the race will not be easy for Shashank. Both Thapa (from the erstwhile ‘establishment faction’) and his father-in-law KC — who was earlier with the establishment — are likely to steal away Shashank’s votes.
Arjun Narsingh KC
Deuba faction is the most important factor that may ensure victory for this candidate. Voters, who made Deuba victorious, are likely to support KC as well. Even if around 400 voters choose to vote against him, KC will still have a fair chance of winning this crucial race. Besides, KC is a seasoned leader with lots of experience. In the 12th general convention also, KC had won the post of general secretary through popular votes.
Though KC is capable, he does not have the capacity to attract voters. He is not hugely popular and has a Panchayati background. Many voters from Team Deuba may choose to vote against him because he moved to the Deuba camp from the establishment faction in the run-up to the 13th general convention. And his son-in-law may steal away votes.
Summing up, the race for NC general secretary is going to be very interesting for commoners as well as political pundits.
