Delay in Selecting Parliamentary Party Leader of Nepali Congress: Power Struggle Between Gagan Thapa and Vishwaprakash Sharma Main Cause
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Even after the completion of the House of Representatives election and the end of its first session, the Nepali Congress parliamentary party has yet to select its leadership as it enters the second session, necessitating direct intervention from the top leadership.
Although nominations for leadership were scheduled to be registered on Friday recently, the process was postponed at the last moment. Instead, efforts are currently focused on reaching a consensus, with responsibility assigned to the vice-chairperson and general secretaries.
Earlier, Congress had announced the parliamentary party leader would be selected on Baishakh 4 (April 17, 2024). However, due to a lack of consensus among interested candidates, the schedule was shifted to Baishakh 11 (April 24, 2024).
Reports indicate that MPs Arjun Narasingh KC, Bhishma Raj Angdembe, and Mohan Acharya have advanced their candidacies for the parliamentary party leadership.
It has been disclosed that Chairperson Gagan Thapa supports Acharya for the position, whereas Vice Chairperson Vishwaprakash Sharma backs Angdembe, which has prolonged the selection process.
Acharya is a directly elected member of parliament, while Angdembe is a proportional representation lawmaker.
Therefore, the other aspirant, KC, argues that an experienced lawmaker should lead rather than a proportional representative, asserting his own suitability and suggesting that if criteria have to be established, that issue must also be discussed.
KC maintains that his candidacy is based on experience and the necessity to play an effective role in the current parliament.
Is There a Disagreement Between Gagan and Vishwaprakash?
The Congress Performance Committee has announced that the election process has been postponed for now, aiming to select the leader by consensus. A new schedule will be released soon.
General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire, a member of the committee led by Vice Chairperson Sharma, said the leadership selection process would begin within two to three days.
“We have already started discussions with interested candidates,” said General Secretary Ghimire. “We will strive for consensus, but if that fails, a vote will decide. We will not take much longer.”
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He denied any disagreement between Chairperson Thapa and Vice Chairperson Sharma, contrary to external reports.
While acknowledging the presence of differing suggestions, he stated that those have been misrepresented as disagreements.
“When all sorts of suggestions come forward, it has been portrayed as a disagreement externally,” he said. “We will reach a conclusion unanimously.”
Inside the Internal Conflict
Image source, Nepal Photo Library
General Secretary Ghimire has stated that the party will make a decision after understanding the perspectives of the aspirants.
However, journalist and analyst Purushottam Dahal has branded the delay in selecting the parliamentary party leader as “shameful.”
The constitutional council also remains incomplete due to the main opposition party’s failure to select its leader.
Other small and large parties representing parliament have already selected their leaders.
According to Dahal, the party has not yet made a leadership decision due to internal conflicts between two factions and differences related to the special general convention.
“Though it may not be visible externally, after the special general convention, Congress is split,” Dahal said. “This is the most unfortunate and saddening outcome.”
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Angdembe, who participated in the special general convention, formerly supported the Deuba faction. Some leaders from the Deuba faction were also elected as MPs in the House of Representatives.
“It seems the Deuba faction might be trying to take revenge for perceived failure or humiliation,” Dahal said. “Moreover, there is certainly internal conflict within the special general convention’s factions.”
He views the power struggle mainly between Chairperson Thapa and Vice Chairperson Sharma.
However, Sharma, who brought Thapa forward as chairperson at the special convention, might be taking a stance as a clear indication of power struggle, Dahal argues.
“It is about balancing their power, their political futures. By considering inclusiveness and regional realities, Sharma might aim to balance the Deuba faction and facilitate coordination within the party going forward,” Dahal explained.
What Kind of Leader Will Congress Have?
Neither Chairperson Thapa nor Vice Chairperson Sharma has publicly expressed support for any specific candidate.
General Secretary Ghimire mentioned the party’s view that senior MPs, aside from the three candidates, should also be considered for leadership.
Journalist Dahal said that the parliamentary party leader of the small-sized opposition party Congress will have a significant role.
He stated, “I see the need for selecting a leader who can mediate fractured Congress, uphold democratic processes and parliamentary culture.”
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