E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -

The Capital's political focus seems to be fixed on the forthcoming General Convention of the Nepali Congress (NC) slated for Sept. 17-21. Looking at the enthusiasm within NC, it appears as if a large section of Nepalis are set to attend a carnival in the city.

The ground scene is already paved: NC convention representatives from all over the nation have arrived in the city to take part in the GC; party flags, banners have been hoisted in major areas of the city; the walls have pro-NC graffiti, the contestants vying for various party posts have started advertising their candidacy, and more than anything else, with their own respective logic and reasons, the participants have started moving to the various camps led by leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba, Sushil Koirala and Bhim Bahadur Tamang.

According to a party insider, some leaders are also seeking to attract votes by lodging representatives in expensive hotels. However, the party has said that the food and lodging for all the GC representatives will be managed by the party from Thursday night till the end of Convention. Around Rs 10 to 15 million will be spent on food and lodging of the GC representatives. According to Bal Bahadur KC, the representatives will be lodged at hotels in Thamel, Sundhara, Bagbazar and other areas of the city.

Like many other Convention representatives, Bharati Gurung from Taplejung district, who is angling for the post of central committee member in the GC election on a woman minority quota, is also excited to be part of this carnival. For Gurung, the convention is no different than a festival. “Being a part of all this, it feels like we are celebrating a festival with family members,” she said.

Gurung, who has put up in a relative's house, said this was a golden opportunity to make friends from all over the nation. “As all of us belong to the same party, our democratic ideology matches and this is the reason that excites us the most,” she added.

However, another GC representative from Dolakha district Barma Lama says being a part of a democratic party, the ideology of all of the representatives may not match all the time. “This is the beauty of what we call democracy,” he said. “It feels good to meet different people who have come to the city to ensure that NC regains its position as the  biggest party in Nepal.”

“All the three leaders from the second generation NC vying for the post of party president are capable of leading the new course of the party,” he said. “Therefore, I don't think winning or losing matters. What everyone should think at this stage is about the new policies that the party must adopt to take the peace process to a logical end.”

Another GC representative from Siraha district Manju Khand said the scenario of politics in Kathmandu has heated up like “bread in the oven”. Interestingly, Khand has a track record of making strong and confident predictions about intra-party elections.

“My predictions have never been wrong,” she said. “I guarantee that Deuba is going to win by a difference of 50 to 55 votes,” she said. “Bimalendra Nidhi will be elected to the post of General Secretary by a huge difference.”

Khand claimed she could also announce the names of up to ten central committee members that are going to be elected to party posts in the NC. However, she declined to divulge the names saying it could cause problems for her with her party colleagues.

Posted on: 2010-09-14 10:13

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.