Online Khabar
Kathmandu, October 13. The first President of the federal republic of Nepal was from the Madheshi community. The installation of senior Nepali Congress leader Ram Baran Yadav as President, the country’s unifying figure, offered some solace to the community.
There are chances that the top post may now go to the Janajati community. A source close to Prime Minister KP Oli told Online Khabar: “Coalition partner UCPN-Maoist has said it will vie for Vice-president and Speaker.” This has increased Speaker Subas Nembang’s chances of becoming the head of the state.
Nembang appears to be the most suitable candidate for the post, as he has discharged his duties effectively in the last 10 years in the capacity of Constituent Assembly Chair and Speaker of the House.
UML and UCPN-Maoist leaders are positive on electing Nembang the President. By selecting its first President from the Madheshi community and the second one from the Janajati community, Nepal can offer some lessons to the world on inclusive democracy.
UML expects Nepali Congress and other parties to support Nembang for the post. A UML office-bearer said, “Speaker Nembang is our first choice. We will assess goodwill of our neighbours and understanding among parties while selecting the candidate for the top post.”
Nembang told Online Khabar he is not staking claim on any post.
The constitution got promulgated with help from all sides, he said, “I am not seeking any post. Let the parties decide what responsibility they want to entrust me with.”
A source says CPN-UML Vice-chair Bidhya Bhandari is another candidate for the top post. It says a powerful force wants to make her the head of the state. It will be easy for Bhandari to land the job because she holds a powerful position in the party. Some days ago, though, she had told confidantes that she wants to continue with party politics for some time. If she lands the top post, Bhandari will also make history by becoming the first woman president of the country. Bhandari is also wife of late Madan Bhandari, charismatic communist leader and CPN-UML General Secretary.
In terms of political experience, Nembang, a law expert, is ahead of Bhandari. A UML office-bearer said, “Bidhya Bhandari and Subas Nembang are our party’s candidates for the President’s post.”
Some have also named former UML chair Jhala Nath Khanal as a candidate for the post.
Incumbent stands no chance? What of Ram Baran Yadav ?
With the Nepali Congress consigned to the opposition bench, the party is in no position to stake claim on the top post. Some political pundits, though, say the UML may offer the post to the Congress for the sake of consensus politics. But UML Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Poudel denies this possibility. Some say UML may be willing to let Ram Baran Yadav continue as the head of the state in a bid to improve ties with India and take the Congress along in coming days. And there’s no dearth of pundits, who say the UML may opt for NC President Sushil Koirala in place of Yadav.
A UML standing committee member said Yadav may have to go, given hia stressed ties not only with the UML, but also with PM Oli.
