Online Khabar

Kathmandu, October 8. Nepali Congress top leaders remain divided on whether to retain party leadership of the next government or to hand it over to CPN-UML Chair KP Oli, as per a gentleman’s understanding.

This division was evident during today’s Congress central working committee at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Baluwatar.

A dispute over leadership of the future government has surfaced after party President Sushil Koirala called the gentleman’s agreement a farce.

He told CWC members to discuss whether or not the Congress should retain leadership of the next dispensation.

Leaders speaking after Koirala’s remarks were divided on the issue. Deuba and Ram Chandra Poudel, considered contenders for the top post, said the Congress should take initiatives for the formation of a unity government under its leadership, according to a source.

But party general secretary duo Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Sitaula, and joint general secretary Purna Bahadur Khadka stressed the need for honesty in politics and said Congress should help Oli become the PM.

According to a source, Deuba asked Koirala as to why he wanted to be PM, again. He has proposed conducting election for Congress’ Parliamentary Party leader. Deuba said he will contest the election for the post, challenging Koirala to support Ram Chandra Poudel. On his part, Poudel has asked Koirala to support his prime ministerial aspirations, lamenting that he has gotten a raw deal, time and again.