Koirala's nominations likely to be voted out

The nominations for vital posts in Nepali Congress (NC) Central Working Committee (CWC) made by president Sushil Koirala are likely to be voted out by the elected CWC.

 

Koirala's nominations have been criticised by CWC members of the Sher Bahadur Deuba camp as well as by some leaders close to him.

 

Over four dozen leaders close to Deuba including CWC members and Constituent Assembly (CA) members gathered at Club International in Lalitpur Wednesday discussed the nominations, Nagarik daily reported.

 

They have decided to strive for consensus and opt for voting if Koirala does not withdraw the nominations. The leaders also agreed to vote against the proposals.

 

Koirala has nominated Ram Chandra Paudel as the vice president and Krishna Sitaula as the general secretary. Although, Paudel's nomination has been generally accepted, Sitaula's nomination has evoked criticism from leaders of the Koirala camp itself.

 

Party leader Arjun Narsingh KC, considered close to Koirala, has sided with Deuba after he was bypassed for the vital post. Sujata Koirala and Ram Sharan Mahat have also been miffed with Koirala's nominations.

 

According to the party statute, the nominations proposed by the president should be passed by a majority at the elected CWC.

 

Koirala has a clear majority in the elected CWC. However, he will be in minority if his supporters KC, Sujata, and Mahat, among others do not support him.

 

The CWC meeting that started on Monday is likely to prolong further due to the nomination row.

 

15 of the 64 CWC members are yet to express their opinions on the nominations.

 

Whether the nominations will go for voting or Koirala will withdraw his nominations will be clear only by Friday after all CWC members express their opinions, a CWC member said.