Kathmandu, April 5
A month after the 13th general convention of the Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ramchandra Poudel are battling it out again. During the Congress GC, the party leadership was up for grabs and Deuba bagged it in the second round. This time, the trophy is the position of the NC parliamentary party leader. Deuba, the former prime minister, who is said to be vying to become PM once again, does not want to lose this crucial vote, nor does Poudel.
Unlike during the general convention, Krishna Sitaula is not in the race for PP leadership. So, this is going to be a battle between two heavyweights — Deuba and Poudel. This race is crucial for both Poudel and Deuba because the PP leader of the largest party is considered the prime minister in waiting. Having won the general convention, Deuba wants to win the PP race and establish himself as undisputed leader of the party. And he also wants to increase his chances of landing the post of PM, again.
On the other hand, Poudel hopes to heal the ‘wounds’ he sustained in the general convention by winning the PP race. For Poudel too, the race is crucial because he is also eying the PM’s position.
A winning candidate will have to secure 104 votes. Team Deuba hopes Deuba will easily garner the votes. Min Bishwokarma, a leader close to Deuba, says Deuba will, most likely, get more than 120 votes.
Team Poudel is also hopeful of a win. Leaders from this group are working hard to secure a victory.
“As of now, 95-98 votes are secure. But in secret balloting, anything can happen. Some leaders said to be from the establishment faction are likely to vote for us,” a leader from Team Poudel said.
