Prakash Man Singh confident of winning PP leader election

KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Nepali Congress (NC) is choosing the parliamentary party (PP) leader on March 5. And, since the party has failed to choose the PP leader unanimously, President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Prakash Man Singh are set to race for the position.

Deuba supporters and second-rung leaders of the party have favored Deuba to continue for the position. Deuba has a clear majority, with 36 lawmakers of the total 63 supporting him.

On the contrary, Prakashman Singh, who is backed by Ram Chandra Poudel-led faction, has 24 lawmakers. Krishna Sitaula has 3 lawmakers.

But leader Singh seems confident of winning the PP leader race.

“I have never lost a contest in NC’s political history. Therefore I am confident of winning the PP election,” Singh told Rishi Dhamala while announcing his candidacy for the post at a lunch party organized by General Secretary Shashank Koirala at his residence in Tokha for the party’s newly elected members of House of Representatives and National Assembly.

“I will contest the election, and I will win,” he expressed his confidence.

Earlier, party President Deuba had announced his candidacy for the position from the same venue.

Singh also suggested Deuba to step down arguing the party is expecting a new leadership. “The party could not perform as expected under Deuba’s leadership. Even after the two years of general convention, he has not been able to appoint a vice-president yet. It is because of him, the structures of the party could not function- a major cause for the party’s weak performance in the recent elections.” The NC lost the election securing only 23 seats under the first-past-the-post system whereas the left alliance comprising of CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) swept the elections winning 116 seats.

“Deuba could not do what he should have done. Therefore, electing him as the PP leader against will be a big mistake,” he added.

Singh was of the opinion that party’s leadership should be changed to revive the party’s popularity and bring reformation.

Responding to a query about his bases for winning elections, he said, “There are many. Everybody will know after we go to election process. Remember one thing, I have never lost election. I know that I will secure majority of votes.”

Meanwhile, Shashank Koirala, who was also seen as the possible contender for the position, seems in no mood to contest the election given that Deuba has clear majority.

Earlier, Koirala was opining that Deuba should forward his name for the post in consensus.