FRESH CONTROVERSY BREAKS OUT IN NC OVER LEADERSHIP OF NEW GOVT.

FRESH CONTROVERSY BREAKS OUT IN NC OVER LEADERSHIP OF NEW GOVT.

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 6 Dec.: Controversy has again broken out publicly in main opposition NC with senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba claiming leadership of a national government to replace the three-month administration of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai.
The three-time prime minister Monday laid the claim at a public meeting in the far-West days after party General Secretary Prakash Man Singh said Vice-president and parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Paudel was the party candidate to succeed Bhattarai.
Deuba Monday acclaimed the party central committee has already decided
on his nomination.
Singh has sided with party establishment and behind President Sushil Koirala in supporting Deuba against Paudel
Deuba is on a week-long visit of districts in the far-West, mid-West and the Western regions lobbying for support in the internal party dispute ahead of a meeting this month of party presidents in the capital.
The senior party leader has convened the meeting as the party dispute peaks.
Sher Bahadur claims he had an understanding with Girija Prasad Koirala he would by the party leader after Koirala’s when the party merged more than five years ago following a split.
Deuba led the NC Democratic after the divide.
Incumbent Party president Sushil Koirala denies knowledge of such an understanding and defeated Deuba is the leadership contest at a general convention in 2010.
Claim for leadership of a government has broken out at a time when the NC has laid fresh claim to a government of national unity.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda, Sushil Koirala, UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and Chairman of a front of six Madeshbadi parties Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar have been empowered to decide by he third week of December on a national government.
Incumbent Prime Minister Bhattarai has ruled out a change of government leadership arguing he’ll lead a national government until the completion of the peace process and constitution drafting.
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