NC General Convention: Rival faction to field common candidates

KATHMANDU, Aug 23: Rival faction in the ruling Nepali Congress (NC) is preparing to field common candidates in the upcoming 14th General Convention of the party. 

A meeting of the aspirants of the presidential candidates, who are reportedly close to the faction, reached an agreement to field the common candidates. The meeting was held at the Battisputali-based Anupam Foodland on Monday. 

The meeting was attended by party’s senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, General Secretary Shashank Koirala, Prakash Man Singh, Shekhar Koirala, Arjun Nar Singh KC, Bal Bahadur KC among others. 

“Another round of meeting will decide on picking up the candidates from the faction,” said Bal Bahadur KC. 

The meeting also concludes that the demands raised by the district presidents should be addressed to resolve active membership row. 

Meanwhile, a meeting has been scheduled for Monday to sort out active membership issue. Leaders including Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Minendra Rijal and Ramesh Lekhak are holding a meeting. The rival faction decided to assign Rijal to lobby for their decisions in the meeting. 

KC shared that the meeting also dwelt on Cabinet expansion issue. Senior leader Poudel has been authorized to hold discussions with party President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on this issue.