Former joint general secretary of the Nepali Congress, Kishor Singh Rathore, has announced that he will contest for the post of party president at the 15th general convention.
The general convention is scheduled to be held at Kathmandu’s Khula Manch from October 2 to 5.
Rathore said that he will run for party president at the general convention.
“I will file candidacy for the post of president,” Rathore told Setopati. “After I am elected as a general convention representative, I will come to Kathmandu from the district and hold further discussions.”
He said that he wants to work in the leadership of the Nepali Congress and that he expects leaders and party workers to provide their support and cooperation.
Gagan Thapa, who became party president through the special general convention, will also contest for the presidency. So far, Thapa and Rathor are the only two names being discussed for the post.
Rathore said that there was no need to make special preparations for his candidacy at this stage.
“What special preparation is needed? If needed, we will do it; there is time. This is a convention within the party itself,” Rathore said.
Rathore was elected joint general secretary from Sher Bahadur Deuba’s panel at the 14th general convention, held from December 10 to 14, 2021.
Afterward, when the working committee elected by the special general convention updated the party’s active membership records, Rathor also updated his own active membership.
He had announced his decision to update his active membership at a provincial gathering organized by the Deuba faction in Lumbini and had urged others to do the same.
Rathore said that he would decide later whether to contest the election by forming a panel or in some other manner.
The Nepali Congress has been urging its leaders and party workers not to contest elections by forming factions, sub-factions, or panels.
Rathore is an active politician who transitioned from student politics into party politics. He is also a former president of the Nepal Students’ Union (NSU).
As the general convention draws closer, more aspirants for the presidency, other office-bearer positions, and central committee membership are emerging within the Nepali Congress.
Under the party statute amended by the special general convention, the central committee will have 231 members. Of these, the party president will nominate the treasurer and 61 members.
