Kathmandu, Aug 24: Former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba’s growing closeness with Dr Shashank Koirala has reportedly upset his longtime ally Purna Bahadur Khadka, potentially reshaping the factional equations ahead of the party’s 15th general convention.
Deuba and Khadka had worked closely for years, with Khadka playing a key role in helping Deuba secure the party presidency at the 13th general convention. Khadka later remained one of Deuba’s trusted lieutenants.
The shift became visible shortly before the national gathering held in Sukedhara last week, when Deuba brought BP Koirala’s son, Dr Shashank Koirala, closer to his political camp. Khadka reportedly began expressing dissatisfaction, telling associates that he felt betrayed by Deuba.
His absence from the closing ceremony of the national gathering was also seen as a sign of his displeasure.
A leader from the Deuba opposition faction said Khadka had hoped to lead the committee organising the gathering, but Deuba instead backed Shashank. According to the leader, Deuba’s camp may have concluded that promoting Khadka would be less convenient and therefore chose Shashank.
Leaders close to Deuba say the former president is considering handing greater political responsibility to the Koirala family. His decision to promote Shashank is seen as part of that strategy.
A Deuba confidant from Sudurpaschim said Dr Shekhar Koirala was initially approached to coordinate the national gathering, but declined. Shashank was then selected.
“The situation is not simply that the Koirala family has moved closer to Deuba. Rather, Deuba appears to have moved closer to the Koirala family for political convenience,” the confidant said.
Khadka’s meetings with Deuba have also reportedly become less frequent, raising questions about whether the Deuba camp is changing its strategy for the 15th general convention and whether the two leaders will remain aligned on future leadership.
Khadka had reportedly expected Deuba’s support after taking over as acting party president during the crisis following the Gen Z movement. But his marginalisation, followed by Shashank’s appointment as coordinator of the national gathering, has created a rift.
Deuba had filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking to stop the 15th general convention, but withdrew it late Friday, reportedly citing the need for corrections. The sudden withdrawal has raised questions over whether it will be refiled.
Some lawyers involved in coordinating between Deuba and Khadka have suggested pursuing a review petition instead, arguing that Deuba’s age could justify prioritising the case already before the court. They have also questioned whether seeking a stay order would be worthwhile if the court ultimately refuses to halt the convention.
The Sukedhara gathering, held from August 14 to 16, has produced a new equation within the opposition faction involving Deuba, Shekhar and Shashank Koirala. Khadka’s marginalisation has made the calculations for the 15th general convention more complicated.
The gathering, dominated by the Deuba camp, assigned Shashank, a former general secretary, responsibility for coordinating the party’s regular activities until the 15th general convention.
Khadka, who had served as acting president, has since been pushed to the sidelines.
The gathering’s five-point decision states that the 15th general convention will be held under the decision and organisation of the Central Working Committee elected by the 14th general convention. It also says the convention will be held under Deuba’s presidency.
Until the convention, Shashank will coordinate the party’s regular activities under Deuba’s direction as coordinator of national gatherings and conferences.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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