Five former office-bearers of the Nepali Congress met with party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to inquire whether he has given a "green signal" to anyone for the party’s next presidency.
The leaders, who visited Budhanilkantha on Tuesday to share the conclusions of their meeting held at Chaksibari on Monday, spoke with Deuba for about an hour and forty-five minutes.
The primary concern of the leaders, who are close to Deuba, was whether he had promised anyone from their team the candidacy for the next party president.
During the meeting at Chaksibari, the party’s former vice-presidents Gopal Man Shrestha, Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar, and Bimalendra Nidhi, former general secretaries Prakash Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Shashank Koirala, and spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat held discussions and decided to draw Deuba’s attention to various issues.
On Tuesday, five of these seven leaders met Deuba at his residence representing the group. Former vice-president Nidhi was busy meeting Israel’s ambassador, while former general secretary Koirala was attending a BP Memorial Day event in Sundarijal, so they were not present in Budhanilkantha.
Former vice-president Gopal Man Shrestha began the conversation. He recounted supporting Deuba during the formation of Nepali Congress (Democratic) after the party split.
Shrestha emphasized that Deuba, who has been party president twice and prime minister multiple times, should not forget the leaders who stood by him when the party split and he was facing crises.
He stressed the need to keep the Deuba faction united for the 15th general convention and prioritize those who have worked hard and supported Deuba during tough times.
Shrestha also suggested that Deuba consult with them before selecting the next presidential candidate.
“Mr President, you should consult with us as well. We are senior party members and have been fully supporting you. Some people are going around saying they’ve received a green signal from you for the 15th general convention. What’s the truth behind this?” Shrestha asked Deuba.
Deuba immediately responded, “I haven’t given anyone a green signal.”
Shrestha then brought up the 14th general convention held in 2021. “I was also an aspirant for the post of president in the 14th general convention. You called me to Baluwatar and said, ‘You’ve supported me since the 10th general convention. Please support me this time as well, Gopal Manji.’ You promised to make me your candidate in the 15th general convention,” Shrestha said, reminding Deuba both he and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, were present at the time.
As Shrestha mentioned the party split, Gachchhadar spoke up. “Gopal Man dai was acting president, and I was general secretary. We held the 11th general convention and made you president unopposed. But you didn’t give us much space or make us office-bearers at that time. That hurt me,” Gachchhadar said.
Deuba responded immediately, “Well, I was in jail at the time. I don’t remember much of what happened!”
Gachchhadar spoke again, “Mr President, you repeatedly talked about making Gopal Manji a senior leader, but you didn’t. Make him a senior leader.”
All leaders took turns speaking at Budhanilkantha.
They discussed current political developments, government’s performance, the government’s work over the past year, and ministers’ evaluations with Deuba.
They urged that the government work efficiently, avoid protecting those involved in corruption, ensure political task forces prioritize national interests, and implement the seven-point agreement with the UML to sustain the coalition until 2027.
They also emphasized preparing for the by-election in Rupandehi-3 scheduled for November 3 to ensure an NC victory. “We said that the president should move forward to ensure a Congress victory in Rupandehi-3, whether by fielding the previous candidate or a new one,” Shrestha said, “The president said that we’ll continue discussing it.”
Spokesperson Mahat, who participated in the discussion, said they briefed Deuba on the Chaksibari talks and various political developments.
“Colleagues who previously held various party responsibilities pointed out a lack of coordination. They highlighted the need for coordination within the party and on government matters,” Mahat said. “The government’s role must be made effective, and appointments, transfers, and promotions should be made transparent. Not all appointments can be made by the prime minister’s party; this is a coalition government.”
According to Mahat, the discussion also covered the two-year cooling-off period included in the Federal Civil Service Bill, UML’s amendment to the bill registered in the National Assembly, and the land-related bill.
“The agreement was to include a two-year cooling-off period, and the president has also said that it must be included,” Mahat said. “The president’s view is that the land bill shouldn’t be rushed either; it should be advanced in Parliament only after reaching a conclusion through consensus.”
He also noted the need to bridge the old and new generations within the party.
During Monday’s Chaksibari discussion, leader Shekhar Koirala’s recent activities, including meetings with main opposition leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal and former president Bidya Devi Bhandari, were raised. Former general secretary Shashank Koirala expressed concern about this.
Although Shashank was not at Deuba’s residence on Tuesday, leaders raised questions about Shekhar’s recent activities.
“A former president returning to active party politics is against the Constitution. Isn’t this mocking the republic?” Shrestha said. “There’s discussion within UML about this, and they’ll likely make a necessary decision. Our Shekharji shouldn’t have met the former president in the current situation.”
When Shekhar’s issue came up, Deuba said, “Instead of making noise outside, show that you can change the parliamentary party leader.” In the election for parliamentary party leader on December 21, 2022, Deuba secured 64 votes, while Gagan Thapa got 24.
Deuba also said that if any issue related to the coalition government is discussed with him first before speaking about them in public, he would convey it the prime minister and resolve it.
During the Budhanilkantha discussion, Shrestha jokingly added, “KP Oliji sent Bidya Devi Bhandari ji, who was 53-54, to be president. After serving two terms as president, she’s probably 63-64 now and seems to want to return to active politics because she’s still young. Mr President, from now on, recommend only those over 70 for president!”
Deuba smiled at this.
Deuba had met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at Baluwatar and drawn attention to the former president’s return to UML politics, stating that someone who has been the supreme commander of the Nepal Army shouldn’t return to party politics.
On February 14, 11 leaders close to Deuba had met him to discuss the next party president and other issues. At that time, Deuba didn’t name a candidate, and this time too, he didn’t clarify who would lead his faction.
“Maybe the president will speak when the time comes, but just because he hasn’t given any hints doesn’t mean we stop our activities. We’ll continue to be active in our own way,” Mahat said.
Leaders have urged the Deuba faction to select a candidate and start activities, stating that General Secretary Gagan Thapa and leader Shekhar Koirala are campaigning for the 15th general convention. However, Deuba has shown no interest in it.
Deuba is waiting for his turn to become prime minister as per the seven-point agreement with the UML. Oli is set to hand over the premiership to Deuba in June 2026, after which Deuba plans to hold the 15th general convention.
