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By Our Reporter

If NC president Sher Bahadur Deuba truly abides by the party’s statute, the 15th general convention of the old grand party should be held within 2025. However, Deuba, as he did during his previous term, is likely to extend his tenure by a year despite pressure from Gagan Kumar Thapa and Shekhar Koirala.  Although Deuba cannot contest for the post of party president in the 15th convention because of the provision of two terms, he is still searching for his successor, and that may result in a delay in holding the general convention.

This is also evident from the fact that the ward committees of the party have not yet started distributing the active membership, which should have already begun to make the 15th general convention possible within 2025.

Yet, Shekhar Koirala has already announced his candidacy for the post of party president and begun visiting districts seeking support of party workers in the 15th convention. As of now, Koirala is the only leader who has announced his candidacy for the post of the party president. He lost the election to Deuba in the 14 the general convention held in Kathmandu in 2021.

Recently, Koirala toured Sudurpashchim including Dadeldhura, the home district of party president Deuba, and he received a warm welcome from the leaders there. A few weeks ago, he organised a gathering of the party’s local-level committee chiefs, and party representatives from the majority of the local levels attended the meeting signalling his growing strength in the party. Had Prakashman Singh not supported Deuba in the second round election in the 2021 general convention, Koirala would have become the party president.

Now Deuba has no successor of Koirarla’s height in his camp. As such, Deuba is likely to back Gagan Kumar Thapa or Shahanka Koirala in the condition that they will support Arzu Rana for the post of the party general secretary. Still, Koirala looks stronger as many leaders previously loyal to Deuba have already started joining Koirala camp to ensure their future in the party. Bal Krishna Khand and NP Saud are now said to be close to Koirala.