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Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that our country is rich in different religions, culture and festivals and Haritalika Teej is a particularly important festival of Nepali women among the various festivals. "Festivals are our identity and pride."

Extending good wishes on the occasion of Haritalika Teej in a message today, he has mentioned that the festival also has special importance in the sense that married daughters return to their natal home on Teej, playing a significant role in keeping family relations cordial. "This tradition of expressing mutual love, harmony, faith and sisterhood helps strengthen harmony and unity in our society."

Wishing that the festival enhances happiness in the family, society and country, NC President Deuba has also expressed his best wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to all those who are celebrating this festival today.

This week, two major political parties—Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML—made significant decisions that could shape Nepali politics for years, particularly if they maintain these positions until the 2027 national elections. The NC has decided to reorganize its party structure to strengthen its ability to contest the 2027 elections independently, signaling a move away from pre-election alliances, particularly with the CPN (Maoist Center).

However, NC’s decision is somewhat unclear, as its leadership is under pressure to resist any pre-election alliances. The UML, currently the ruling party and a key competitor of NC, has made a similar decision. The UML is working on a strategy to boost its strength ahead of the 2027 elections, aiming to emerge as the largest political party. Despite leading the government, the party’s focus seems squarely on the upcoming elections.

These decisions are troubling for the CPN (Maoist Center), the third-largest party, which relies heavily on coalition politics to maintain its status. Maoist Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed concern, suggesting that there are efforts to push Nepal toward a two-party system. Meanwhile, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which made a strong showing in the 2022 elections, may welcome the NC and UML’s decisions. Without alliances among the major parties, the RSP could increase its chances of electoral success.

The durability of this shift will depend on the stability of the current coalition. Should the Maoist Center once again play the role of kingmaker, its condition for supporting NC or UML would likely be the formation of an electoral alliance. This would apply not only in national elections but also in other political contexts, as Dahal favors pre-election alliances.

It’s also possible that NC might still seek an alliance with the Maoist Center to counter UML’s organizational strength at the grassroots level. NC’s internal struggles over this decision are evident, with leaders like Shekhar Koirala and Gagan Thapa optimistic about their chances of winning solo, despite the party’s general weakening at the local level. The upcoming NC general convention in 2026, just before the elections, could lead to a reversal of the current stance depending on the leadership at that time.

In another story this week, there were murmurs suggesting cracks in the UML-NC coalition. However, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba has downplayed such concerns, stating that NC and UML share similar positions on key national issues, and the coalition remains stable.

Also this week, RSP Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane was grilled by Pokhara police over his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of cooperative funds. There are reports that Pokhara police are preparing to file a case against him. Meanwhile, Surya Thapa, a member of the parliamentary probe committee on cooperatives, revealed this week that Gorkha Media, with which Lamichhane was associated, had indeed taken money from cooperatives. Following these incidents, Lamichhane, previously a high-ranking media figure and former Home Minister, met with Prime Minister Dahal and NC President Deuba, possibly seeking their support to avoid legal action.

Tensions between Prime Minister Oli and Maoist Chairperson Dahal intensified this week. While Oli continues to accuse Dahal of fostering anarchy, Dahal has warned of a potential people’s uprising to unseat the government, drawing parallels to recent events in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

In other developments this week, the parliamentary hearing on the proposed ambassadors to 18 countries has sparked criticism, with many on social media mocking the ambitious and unrealistic promises made by the candidates.

On a more positive note, the transitional justice process has received a boost with the passage of key bills, supported by 10 major countries, including China—a rare instance of China publicly endorsing Nepal’s transitional justice efforts. Western nations and China appear to be aligned on this issue, while India, which raised concerns about this process in 2015, remains silent. Conflict victims have expressed mixed feelings, supporting the bill but with some reservations. A writ has been filed in the Supreme Court to determine whether the new legislation meets the criteria set by the court’s historic verdict. The government is expected to begin appointments to transitional justice bodies soon.

In the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations and Tourism, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba faced numerous questions related to relations with India and China this week. She revealed that India has not extended an official invitation to Prime Minister Oli, although there may be an opportunity for him to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the postponed BIMSTEC summit. 

Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to travel to New York in the third week of this month to attend the UN General Assembly. There is speculation about whether Oli will visit China before India if he receives an invitation from Beijing. Foreign Minister Deuba also revealed that the Indian side has already begun preparations for Modi’s visit to Nepal.

Finally, provincial governments are still incomplete as the process of appointing ministers continues, which is hindering their ability to function effectively.

That’s all for this week. Have a great weekend!

Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the NC and the CPN-UML, the two major political parties, aspire for a stable and strong government.

Backing a proposal put forth by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in the House of Representatives (HoR) session, seeking a vote of confidence, Deuba said the formation of the present government aims to promote stability, achieve rapid economic development, create jobs, and accelerate physical infrastructure development. The proposal was presented in accordance with Article 76 (4) of the Constitution.

It may be noted that the NC and UML formed a new political equation recently, leading to the formation of the government led by UML Chair Oli last Sunday.

According to the NC President, the constitution's amendment is a usual procedure in democracy and the consensus of all parties will be sought provided that the constitution is amended ahead. 

"It has been eight years since the promulgation of the Constitution. It is a usual process to amend the country's main law in democracy if it is warranted to strengthen the constitution. We are clear that it will be appropriate to proceed with the amendment through the wider dialogues and consensus at the political parties."   

He hoped that the new government would be able to accelerate economic activities and establish a durable peace by dispelling economic slowdown. "It will give priority to creating job opportunities within the country, scaling up revenue collections, and meeting the people's aspirations for development."

 Underlining the need for steering the nation towards good governance by preventing corruption, the NC President pledged to promote the rule of the law, full enforcement of the constitution, build an investment atmosphere, increase domestic production, and create jobs.

Terming Prime Minister Oli as a hardworking, studious, and experienced leader, he said the members of his cabinet are also competent. "I hope under the guidance of the Oli-led government, the nation will find a path to prosperity. The government formed to take the country towards political stability will succeed in its mission. "   

He said the NC is fully committed and will remain so regarding the implementation of the July 1 seven-point agreement reached with the UML.  He said the party would give a vote of confidence to Prime Minister Oli, urging other political parties in the parliament to support the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made public the seven-point agreement signed between the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress.

He informed the Parliament about the seven-point agreement while presenting his motion to seek a vote of confidence at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday.

According to the agreement, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli said that he will lead the government for two years in the first phase and then hand over power to NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba to conduct the 2027 elections, he said.

Prime Minister Oli said that an agreement has been made to give priority to the necessary amendments to the Constitution and for the formulation of laws for political stability.

Nepali Congress President Deuba and UML Chairman Oli had signed the seven-point agreement.

Having grown tired of Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s power politics and the constant maneuvering for a ‘magic’ number in parliamentary politics, the chiefs of the two major parties in the country, KP Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba, have sketched a new roadmap aimed at ensuring political stability at least until the next general election. In a rare display of parliamentary partnership, the two largest parties in the Parliament have agreed to form a government, though the formal agreement is yet to be made public officially. 

According to the agreement, the two parties will alternate leadership of the government between Oli and Deuba over a three-year period. Oli will serve as Prime Minister for the initial half of the tenure, while Deuba will lead for the remaining period until the next general election. Ministries in the federal government will be equally divided, and the positions of chief ministers in the provinces will also be equally shared. Both the parties have also agreed to amend the constitution, especially on the electoral system though it is not an easy job.  

As per the agreement, the Nepali Congress has given a vote of confidence to the Chief Minister of Madhes Province from the CK Raut-led Janamat Party has joined the government there. In other provinces, UML ministers have resigned to facilitate the formation of new governments. Following the power-sharing agreement in the federal government, both the parties have endorsed the deal in their respective central meetings. Leaders of both parties are committed to implementing the agreement sincerely, despite facing various conspiracies and pressures from different quarters. This time, people have given both the parties the benefit of the doubt, overlooking the past.  

On July 12, Prime Minister Dahal is set to seek a vote of confidence in the parliament, though odds are stacked against him. Despite this, Dahal’s decision to face the parliament should be respected as a constitutional right of any Prime Minister. If Dahal had morality, he should have resigned immediately after the CPN-UML withdrew support to him. Shocked and traumatized by the Oli-Deuba alliance formed to sideline him, Dahal will again present himself as a ‘revolutionary’ and ‘progressive’ leader in revenge and might call movements from different fronts. This has been a hallmark of Dahal, who has made compromises with all parties and foreign powers to save his government. Whenever he quits government, he appears as a rebel, but such politics doesn’t work these days. While his next steps remain uncertain, he is likely to be relegated to a weaker position as the opposition leader, marking a turning point in the Maoist party’s decline.

Dahal’s failure to garner a trust vote means UML Chair Oli will become the Prime Minister of Nepal under Article 76 (2) of the Constitution. Some argue that Oli cannot be appointed Prime Minister under the same article again, but the Supreme Court has clearly ruled that the same article can be invoked multiple times if there is a possibility of government formation. Ultimately, it depends on the President under which article he calls upon the parties to form the next government. 

Let the law take its own course.

The major concerns now are political stability and the continuation of developmental works initiated during Oli’s second premiership from 15 Feb 2018 to 13 May 2021. As Oli prepares to become PM for the third time, a sense of hope has spread across the nation. Among Nepal’s contemporary politicians, Oli stands out as a leader with a vision and conviction, having earned the trust of the people. Therefore, the agreement between the two major parties to share power and have Oli lead the government has been seen as a beacon of hope as Nepali people are fed up with deceptive politics.

In the last parliamentary election, no party secured a majority to form the government, leading the third party to control the power dynamics with the so-called magic number. The leader of the third party, Dahal, alternately and deceptively led the government with support from the first and the second largest parties. However, his political maneuvering has come to an end, and he has now returned to the sidelines as a frail leader. Reflecting on this, his former colleague and now leader of a fringe party, Baburam Bhattarai, expressed his satisfaction thus: “You can’t fool all the people all the time.”

Some have speculated that external powers, particularly Western ones, played a role in uniting the two major parties, but these claims are unfounded and baseless. Certain intellectuals often suspect external interference in significant domestic developments, but this is merely a form of self-satisfaction. Neither neighboring countries nor Western nations such as the US contributed to bringing the two parties together. It was Oli and Deuba, who decided to sideline Dahal’s messy and opportunistic politics from within the domestic political landscape.

Foreign interference in Nepal’s internal affairs has significantly diminished compared to the past. Ambassadors from neighboring countries in Kathmandu have maintained diplomatic decorum, engaging with all stakeholders equally. However, political inconsistencies have negatively impacted diplomatic relations. With Oli likely to become the next PM, this temporary strain on diplomatic relations is expected to end. The government formed by the two major parties will be stronger and more stable, fostering harmonious relations with both neighboring and powerful countries while prioritizing Nepal’s national interests.

The new government will address the genuine concerns of India and China, but will also firmly warn them against any interference in Nepal’s domestic affairs. Oli’s administration will maintain a balanced foreign policy, ensuring that Nepal’s sovereignty and national interests remain paramount. Strengthening ties with both India and China, the government will work towards mutual cooperation, economic development and regional stability. Additionally, Oli’s leadership is anticipated to bring renewed focus to developmental projects and economic initiatives initiated during his previous terms. This will not only help boost domestic growth but also enhance Nepal’s strategic partnerships with neighboring countries and international allies.

But, this power alliance of Nepali Congress and CPN UML should not be limited only in form but in substance too. Cornering the CPN (Maoist Center) or Dahal shouldn’t be the sole goal of the alliance, it should inject hope and that should be seen in action, for action speaks louder than words.

Views are personal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Monday.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Dahal discussed the latest political developments with Congress President Deuba and UML Chairman Oli.

The Prime Minister’s private Secretariat informed that they also discussed moving ahead by forging views on the national issues.

Similarly, the trio also discussed the parliamentary committee formed to investigate the cooperative scam and making the Parliament effective, it has been learnt.

Earlier this morning, the Prime Minister also discussed various issues with CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Nepal.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has pointed out the need to strengthen the federal democratic republic in practice.

On the occasion of the ninth memorial day of former Prime Minister and member of the Constituent Assembly, Surya Bahadur Thapa, in a programme organized by the Surya Bahadur Thapa Foundation here today, he said that the current system should be made more acceptable adding that there was no chances of restoration of monarchy.

Former Prime Minister Deuba also clarified that it is impossible to restore the monarchy in the current situation. He said, 'Now Nepal has adopted federal democratic republican governance system.

However, some people have said that the king should be returned, but now it is impossible to restore the king. Therefore, the current system should be strengthened more in practice. 'There is room to improve the deficiencies in the constitution' Deuba said. He recalled the role of Surya Bahadur Thapa in bringing the current political system in the country.

Addressing the program, Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohoni, said that late Thapa was a skilled politician and a multifaceted personality. He also opined that all political forces should unite to give the country the right direction in the present situation. Central member of Nepali Congress Arjun Narsingh KC said that late Thapa has made a significant contribution in the political and administrative field in the country.

Central member of Nepali Congress, Sunil Bahadur Thapa said that late Thapa himself has made an important contribution in bringing the current political system and stressed that he should move forward by imbibing the example he adopted. Janata Samajwadi Party leader Pradeep Yadav recalled that Thapa, a politician with a simple life and high thoughts, repeatedly raised his voice for the rights of Madhesh and Madheshi people.

Former ambassador Surya Prasad Shrestha, senior advocate Krishna Prasad Bhandari, Prof. Lokraj Baral, registrar of Kathmandu University Prof. Dr. AchyutWagle and others discussed that late Thapa was a skilled politician.

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that there are no issues among the political parties in the coalition government.

Talking to the media briefly, the former Prime Minister, who has been here today to take part in an inauguration of the Bharatpur Visit Year, 2024, claimed the ruling alliance will remain intact.

He was of the view of taking diverse opinions from political leaders and cadres as a part of the political discourse.

He said the matter of selecting the chairperson of the National Assembly will be finalized only through discussions within the ruling coalition.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and former Prime Minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal arrived here on Thursday to participate in the program.

The formal inauguration of the Bharatpur Visit Year is scheduled to take place at 1 pm today on the bank of Narayani River. 

As we step into 2024, it's crucial to reflect on the tumultuous journey of 2023, a year marked by degeneration and pessimism for major political parties — the Nepal Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Center). These parties faced strong criticism from both their cadres and the public at large, revealing a deep-seated dissatisfaction with their performance.

Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and KP Sharma Oli, who are at the helm of these parties, find themselves wrestling with tarnished public images and a looming sense of party fragility.

At the start of the year, the Nepali Congress worked hard to dismantle the alliance between the Maoist and UML. By throwing its support behind Dahal as prime minister, NC succeeded in positioning itself as a key coalition player. The elevation of Ram Chandra Poudel as the country's president further solidified its influence. While these accomplishments are touted as major wins, the party struggles to instill hope and optimism among its ranks, contending with persistent intra-party rifts and organizational challenges.

Deuba continued to prevail in the party’s decision making process. Despite being a dominant power in all three levels of government, leaders and cadres largely feel that the party is on a downward journey. They are of the view that people are gradually losing their confidence in the major parties due to the government’s failure to deliver.

In the face of this, a disconcerting trend emerges—local-level leaders and cadres are feeling the heat from new parties and the resurgence of royalist forces. The once-enthusiastic cadres are noticeably absent from party activities, even as the leadership attempts to renew active memberships. 

A senior NC leader said that though the party has launched a campaign of renewing membership, a large chunk of cadres has not shown interest in it. This is very concerning for the future of the party.

The call for a special campaign to breathe life into the party structures falls on deaf ears, further fueling concerns about the party's downward trajectory. In order to provide an ideological and organizational guideline, the NC was supposed to organize its much-awaited Mahasamiti meeting, but it has been postponed time and again. This year, the party also saw the emergence of a third faction led by youth leaders including Gururaj Ghimire and Madhu Acharya. The faction has been running parallel activities inside the party.

This is not a good sign for the NC, which is already grappling with factionalism. Senior leader Shekhar Koirala and General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa are competing to wrest the reins of power from Deuba, whose supporters dominate the party committees.  The rivalry between senior Koirala and Thapa has further affected the party’s organization. 2023 was also the year the NC saw one of its influential leaders Bal Krishna Khand arrested in the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal. It was a serious blow to the party’s public image. Khand’s arrest also raised fear among several other leaders who were allegedly involved in corruption activities in the past. 

The internal strife within the Congress is not unique; the UML also grapples with its share of setbacks. Losing power both at the center and in provincial governments, the party attempts to rejuvenate itself in the face of challenges from emerging parties. Throughout the year, the party tried to dismantle the current government by offering premiership to NC, but to no avail.

Soon after the elections, the UML launched a grassroots campaign in order to resolve the party's internal problems and other issues.  At the end of the year, it launched the Sankalpa Yatra (Resolution March),  which covered the mid-hill districts of Nepal. According to the UML, the march helped to counter forces that have ramped up their activities in recent years. But the truth is despite the hard efforts, the party still faces significant challenges. The "Mission-84" initiative signals a renewed focus on the elections to be held in 2084 BS (2027), with aspirations to emerge as the largest party. However, corruption scandals involving senior leaders cast a shadow over their efforts.

On the Maoist front, 2023 witnessed a lack of substantive change. While the party launched a nationwide campaign to bolster organizational strength, the notable absence of leaders and cadres raised eyebrows. Despite facing criticism, Dahal's dominance within the party stifles significant dissent against the government.

In essence, 2023 posed significant threats to the major parties. Despite holding onto power, a pervasive sense of vulnerability lingers. The specter of the 2027 national elections looms large, and the three parties feel that regressive forces are actively trying to dismantle the 2015 constitution. 

As we step into 2024, the apathy of top leaders in mending their ways suggests a continuity of challenges. The failing performance of the Dahal-led government on economic and other fronts is poised to escalate people's frustration, further eroding the major political parties' standing. The year ahead will be critical for the three major parties, as they will have to resolve their own internal disputes as well as work with renewed vigor to meet the aspirations of the people.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli in Baluwatar on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Dahal held talks with Deuba and Oli for almost two hours to forge consensus on the transitional justice issues.

The transitional justice Act is in the Human Rights Committee of the Parliament.

The Committee has forged consensus in almost all the issues by forming a sub-committee.

The sub-committee has prepared a report on consensus.

The issues that need to be resolved at the political level are only left to the settled down.

Congress Publicity Department Chief Min Bishwokarma and UML Whip Mahesh Kumar Bartaula have been claiming that the issues at the political level are only left to be resolved.

The UML has claimed that the decision of Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s decision to celebrate the day the war started as People’s War Day has left the conflict victims in the lurch.

During this stay in Nepal, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres had mounted diplomatic pressure on the government and political parties to conclude the peace process.

On Sunday, during a meeting with Guterres, UML Chairman Oli said that the peace process could not reach a logical conclusion due to the Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Dahal.

Oli had said that the UML wants the United Nations to take the peace process to its logical conclusion.

Visiting United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres held a meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba at the federal Parliament building in New Baneshwor on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed Nepal’s peace process and climate change among others issues, Nepali Congress Vice-President and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dhan Raj Gurung said.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the United Nations Secretary General arrived in Nepal on a four-day official visit on Saturday.

Earlier, he held separate meetings with Prime Minister Dahal, Deputy Prime Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka and Foreign Minister NP Saud.

He had also held a meeting with CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the school education bill should be passed in order to address the problems of teachers.

At the end of the discussion on the bill held with the stakeholders by the NC Parliamentary Party here today, Deuba said the problem cannot be left aggravating forever. Matters that can be addressed in the bill should be included.

He said the party will take the initiative to address the matter.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, General Secretary Gagan Thapa, Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak, Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet among others were present in the discussion held with heads and representatives of Nepal Teachers Federation, Private and Boarding Schools Organization of Nepal (PABSON), NPABSON, Higher Institutions and Secondary Schools' Association Nepal (HISSAN), Community School Management Committee Federation, Nepal.

Following a street protest held in Kathmandu by the Nepal Teachers' Federation expressing dissatisfaction over the bill, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology had reached a six-point agreement with the teachers.

It may be noted that the bill was registered in the House of Representatives on September 13.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has nominated eight persons to the Central Committee.

Party General Secretary Gagan Thapa said that eight persons including Dr Chandra Bhandari were nominated to the Central on Thursday prior to the Central Committee meeting.

According to him, President Deuba nominated them to the Central Committee as per Article 21 (10) of the party statute.

Chandra Bhandari of Gulmi, Shiva Prasad Humagain of Kavre, Man Bahadur Bishwokarma of Arghakhanchi, Arjun Prasad Joshi of Parbat, Kiran Raj Sharma Paudel of Baglung, Bharat Kumar Sah of Rupandehi, Shardha Paudel of Kaski and Anil Kumar Rungata of Parsa were nominated to the Central Committee.

The Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government is apparently teetering on the edge of a precipice. Its failure to deliver has sparked waves of anger and discontent within the primary ruling coalition partner, Nepali Congress. 

Within the ranks of NC, many leaders are convinced that Sher Bahadur Deuba, the party president, has allowed the government to run amok, with no accountability to the public. They are of the view that this coalition is firmly in the grip of Dahal's decision-making monopoly.

Deuba’s rival in the party, Shekhar Koirala, is the foremost critic of the Dahal administration. He has been openly advocating for seeking an alternative to the faltering government. Congress, the largest party in the House of Representatives, finds itself in a coalition with Maoists and various fringe parties, all united in their mission to prevent CPN-UML from seizing power. Yet, party leaders lament that Deuba remains conspicuously passive, failing to provide valuable input to the government or curb its penchant for unilateral decision-making.

Nine months into its tenure, the Dahal-led government struggles to maintain good governance, generate employment opportunities, resuscitate the flagging economy, and tame the surging inflation rate—a source of mounting discontent among the populace. But NC President Deuba, Prime Minister Dahal’s main coalition partner, has seemingly turned a blind eye. 

Dahal has been attempting to tout an anti-corruption drive as a major accomplishment of his government, a claim hotly disputed by many NC leaders. While Deuba and his supporters, who hold crucial ministerial positions, favor continuing the current coalition, others within the party harbor deep reservations.

Recent times have seen the Dahal-Deuba relationship grow frostier, though it has not reached the point of coalition dissolution. Deuba is dissatisfied with the Dahal administration’s selective approach to investigating corruption scandals. In a recent meeting, Deuba pressed Dahal to remove Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, primarily concerned about the arrest of his close aide, Bal Krishna Khand, in the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal. 

Despite this tension, leaders assert that Deuba has not committed to leaving the coalition just yet, fearing it would open the door for Dahal to form alliances with the UML and Rastirya Swatantra Party. 

Deuba, with no plans to vie for the party presidency again, intends to retire from active politics by becoming prime minister for a record sixth time. This ambition has led him to overlook the government's inefficiencies.

However, senior party leader Koirala is actively working to dismantle the existing coalition. It remains uncertain whether this is a mere bargaining tactic with Deuba or a genuine effort to change the government. Koirala has been reaching out to influential youth leaders in the party, such as Gagan Kumar Thapa, Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Pradeep Poudel, to build a united front and exert pressure on Deuba to remove Dahal from the government. 

To compel Deuba to consider leaving the current coalition, Koirala called a meeting with his supporters, including Thapa, Sharma and Poudel, on Tuesday. During the meeting, leaders argued that the government’s failure to address the country’s critical issues necessitates an alternative. 

Central Working Committee member Jeeven Pariyar says that despite being in the government, the people have not felt its impact. The government's inability to fulfill its objective duties and meet even the minimum expectations of the people have left many disillusioned, he adds.

But Thapa, who is himself aspiring to vie for the post of party president against Koirala, seems to have softened his stance on the government in recent months. As Deuba remains passive and Vice-President Purna Bahadur Khadka focuses on party matters, Thapa is working to strengthen his position within the party.

Koirala, on the other hand, has become more vocal and aggressive against the current coalition. In a recent public address, he did not mince words when it came to criticizing the government. He accused Prime Minister Dahal of fostering conflict and confrontation in the country through his rhetoric, particularly his endorsement of identity-based federalism. 

Koirala emphasized that with 90 seats in the Parliament, the NC was discussing the way forward internally. He added that the continuation of the current government would be disastrous for the country. He even urged Deuba to assume the mantle of the next prime minister.

Some see Koirala’s suggestion for Deuba to take over the premiership as an act of extending overture to win the latter’s endorsement for the Congress presidency. 

The Koirala faction’s displeasure with Deuba’s monopoly over intra-party affairs is no secret. They believe Deuba has failed to take a consultative approach in decisions related to the crisis in Koshi province, the selection of parliamentary committee heads, and appointments in the party’s sister organizations. In an attempt to draw attention to these issues, Koirala met with Deuba at his residence on Wednesday.

However, Koirala and Thapa combined lack the authority to make decisions regarding coalition changes and intra-party matters, as Deuba wields significant influence in both the party’s Central Committee and the Parliamentary Party. Nevertheless, the pressure is mounting on Deuba in light of the government’s performance.

Despite having nine ministers in the coalition government, Congress has been unable to steer the Dahal-led government toward effectively addressing the pressing issues facing the country. As the Dahal government shows no signs of improvement and public frustration mounts, Deuba is under increasing pressure from various quarters to reconsider the NC’s role in the coalition. 

Some observers suggest that the fate of the current government will ultimately be sealed upon Prime Minister Dahal’s return from his China visit.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed sorrow over the demise of NC Regional President from the Kathmandu electoral constituency-7 and Kathmandu metropolis ward-16 Chair Mukunda Rijal.

In his condolence message today, the NC leader remembered the contribution of Rijal to the NC institutional development and the democratic movement in Nepal.

Extending his tributes to the late people's representative, Deuba expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

The mortal remains of Rijal, who passed away in the course of treatment at Grande International Hospital in Dhapasi at 7:30 am today, is to be kept at the city Hall till 12 pm today to pay final tributes.

Afterward, the body will be taken to the Pashupati Aryaghat, as confirmed by NC Central Office Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel. The last rites are scheduled to be conducted at 2:30 pm today.

Born in 2027 BS, Rijal had spent his time in police custody for his involvement in the 2046 BS historic people's movement. 

He was elected twice as the NC regional president and ward chair under the Kathmandu metropolis.

Rijal had embarked on his political career through his involvement with the Nepal Student Union while studying at Saraswoti Campus, and he was also associated with various human rights organizations.

With his passing, the NC said it has lost a versatile and dedicated member.

Aa per the party’s statute, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba cannot run for a third consecutive term. Given his age and the intra-party dynamics, he is unlikely to take initiatives to amend the statute to remove the term limits. 

In this scenario, the stage is set for a new generation of leaders to take the reins of the party. The list of potential contenders is long and includes figures like Gagan Thapa, Shekhar Koirala, Prakash Man Singh, Bimalendra Nidhi and Purna Bahadur Khadka. But one thing is clear: As Deuba wields a majority within the party’s Central Working Committee, Parliamentary Party and Mahasamiti, securing his vote of confidence is crucial for the Congress presidential hopefuls.

Currently, all eyes are on incumbent General Secretary Gagan Thapa and the Koirala family scion Shekhar Koirala. Gagan Thapa and Shekhar Koirala were in the same camp during the 14th General Convention, but as they aspire for the top job, the distance between them is widening. 

Many insiders believe that Koirala is strategically getting closer to Deuba to clinch the party presidency. Their budding bonhomie was apparent when Koriala praised Deuba’s leadership during a TV interview.

Thapa, on the other hand, has traversed a winding path within the party. His journey, marked by alliances and shifts, has led him to his current position as the party’s general secretary. Yet, questions abound regarding his loyalty and next move.

In the 13th General Convention, where Thapa was defeated in the general secretary race, his vote helped Deuba secure the presidency. In return, Deuba appointed Thapa as the Health and Population Minister under the Cabinet of CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Puspa Kamal Dahal.

However, after the first federal election in 2017, Thapa shifted his position. Following the election, Deuba and former Deputy PM Prakashman Singh were seen as contenders for the position of parliamentary party leader. However, Thapa’s group supported Singh against Deuba’s candidate, and Singh lost in the parliamentary party’s election.

In the 14th General Convention, Thapa's ambitions became more prominent, and he aligned with the Koirala camp against Singh and Sitaula. In the Parliamentary Party election of 2023, Thapa stood against Deuba, sidelining Koirala. Before the parliamentary party's candidate selection, Shekhar's group and Thapa assured that in the upcoming leadership opportunity, they would propose Koirala for the top post. However, it now appears that Thapa is bypassing Koirala in various aspects. Still, leaders from the Shekhar-Gagan camp are trying to resolve their disputes. They propose Koirala as the party president and Thapa as the second-in-command. 

However, members from the Thapa camp say that leadership is not bestowed as a gift; it is a demand of the times, and Thapa will vie for the presidency in the 15th General Convention.

Deuba and Koirala clan

Deuba, a trustee of BP Koirala, the founding leader of Nepali Congress, and a supporter of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, was defeated in the leadership race against Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala. After Sushil's passing, he competed against Ramchandra Poudel and Shekhar Koirala and secured the Congress presidency on both occasions.

Shashank Koirala, who emerged as a prominent figure during the 13th General Convention, had initially supported Deuba's candidacy and continued to do so during the 14th General Convention. However, the 14th General Convention created an environment where the members of the Koirala clan—Shekhar, Shashank and Sujata— found themselves in separate camps, which ultimately benefited Deuba. Shashank now appears to be closer to Deuba, and there is a growing thaw between Deuba and Shekhar. Shashank has indicated that he is preparing to contest the 15th General Convention for the presidency, regardless of support from Shekhar or not. Shashank believes that he has a better understanding of the Congress and the challenges it faces. 

Prakash Rasaili, a leader from the Shekhar-Gagan faction, believes that despite Shashank's skills as a politician, Deuba is unlikely to hand over the party leadership to the Koirala clan. Deuba's strategy, he says, is to create divisions in the opposition camp to ensure an easy victory for his own candidate. Relations between Shashank and Thapa were not cordial during the 14th Convention, as Shashank felt he was bypassed. A leader close to Shashank says that they are cautious about Thapa potentially betraying them at any time.

Shashank Koirala, Prakash Man Singh and Bimalendra Nidhi engaged in intense discussions during the 14th General Convention of the party. With the rising prominence of BP Koirala's and Mahendranarayan Nidhi's sons in political cooperation, the NC was witnessing the emergence of a new wave.

During discussions led by the trio, they reached an agreement that one among them would run for the position of Party presidency, while the other two would provide their support. However, as the registration for candidacy approached in the first phase of the Convention, both Singh and Nidhi registered their candidacies, while Shashank supported Deuba.

During the first phase of the convention, no candidate could garner the required 51 percent of votes to secure victory. So a second round of voting took place. In the first phase, Singh received the third-highest number of votes and Nidhi secured the fourth-highest. Despite their aspirations of becoming the party president, Singh and Nidhi supported Deuba.

During this time, Deuba faced allegations of withdrawing support from Singh after making promises.

Will Khadka become Deuba's successor?

There is no certainty as to who will become the NC president, but there are some early indications. Top leaders from Deuba's camp, such as Purna Bahadur Khadka and Gopal Man Shrestha, are natural candidates for the party presidency. However, Shrestha's influence within the party is limited.

Regarding the allegations of Bal Krishna Khand's involvement in the fake Bhutanese refugee scandal, there is speculation among the opposition about Deuba's choice for his successor. This controversy has brought Khadka forward as a potential candidate from the Deuba faction. 

Badri Sigdel, the former president of Nepal Press Union, says Khadka’s experiences, including key roles during the party's previous split, as well as positions like party general secretary, vice-president, and current Deputy Prime Minister, highlight his seniority within the party. 

Deuba has not explicitly assured support to Khadka so far. This has led to a debate on Arzoo Deuba's position within the party. Leaders suggest that she is unlikely to run for party presidency but may contest for a vital office bearer position.

Congress leader Rasaili believes that despite Deuba's support, the group in which Arzoo becomes a candidate is destined for defeat. "There is no unity even within the Deuba group. Today, Deuba, who is the president and the leader of the parliamentary party, and who is likely to become the prime minister in the near future, is facing opposition from leaders within his own group. If he is not the party president tomorrow, the situation will be different. Everyone should pursue their own politics; leaders can't just follow Deuba's lead."

Sigdel holds a different opinion. He says: "Sher Bahadur Deuba, who has led the party for two terms, fought against the Koiralas in the past and has been prime minister five times, has a strong grip on the party. Without Deuba's support, no one can win the presidency, given the strong organization he has built. Even a small fraction of support from Deuba's camp can make a significant difference."

A central committee member close to Deuba says that since the Congress is currently undergoing internal reformation, there is no clear picture of who will be the candidates for the next general convention. Regarding Khadka’s chance of getting Deuba’s nod, he says: "The process of breaking up and rebuilding factions is still ongoing, so we have not reached a point where Khadka can be definitively called Deuba's successor."