Senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel had thrown his weight behind Deuba in the election while Thapa was backed by Pradeep Poudel and General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma.
Deuba’s political journey Born in 1946 in a socially and economically backward far-western region, Deuba began his political career as a student leader. He became the chairman of the party’s far-western students’ committee from 1965 to 1968. In 1994, he was elected as PP leader for the first time, which paved the way for him to become prime minister. Deuba went on to cement his position in the party, and in the 10th general convention of the NC held in 2001, he contested for party presidency. In 2002, he broke away from the party due to the differences with the then party president, Girija Prasad Koirala. In the process, around 40 percent of leaders and cadres joined the Deuba-led Nepali Congress (Democratic). The incident showed Deuba’s influence in the party. Deuba returned to NC in 2006, taking 40 percent share in all party organizations. His ambition to become the party president materialized in 2016. After Deuba failed to garner 51 percent votes to win the presidency outright in the 13th general convention, a second round of vote was conducted. And this time, he received 58 percent of the vote with the support of the Krishna Prasad Sitaula faction. Deuba’s marriage with Arzoo Rana also helped him strengthen his position in national politics as well as in the party. It was Arzoo who helped Deuba connect with the monarchy. In the late 1990s, when the monarchy had a powerful influence in politics, Deuba became prime minister for two terms in 2004-2005, and 2001-2002.
