Game of Thrones: NC contenders jockey for Sudurpaschim CM

Dhangadhi: Leaders of the Nepali Congress party in Sudurpaschim Province are engaged in an internal power struggle to secure the position of Chief Minister. As per the agreement between CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress, the Chief Minister position for Sudurpaschim Province is designated for Congress.

The three main contenders for the Chief Minister position are Kamal Bahadur Shah, the Congress parliamentary party leader and former Chief Minister; Prakash Bahadur Deuba, former Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development; and Bahadur Singh Thapa, a member of the provincial assembly. They have intensified their meetings and discussions with party leaders.

Among the contenders, Prakash Bahadur Deuba is considered to have strong chances. Provincial Assembly member Prakash Bam, who recently returned from discussions at the residence of Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, indicated that Deuba’s prospects are promising. However, Bam noted that the official decision from party President Deuba is still pending. Notably, Prakash Bahadur Deuba is also President Deuba’s nephew.

On the other hand, Kamal Bahadur Shah, the former Chief Minister, has asserted that no final decision has been made yet and believes that the situation is favorable for him. He remains hopeful that the decision will go in his favor due to his position as the party leader.

If someone other than Shah is appointed as Chief Minister, there will likely be changes in the responsibilities within the parliamentary party.

A meeting of the Congress Sudurpaschim Parliamentary Party has been scheduled for Friday to finalize the next CM. 

Prakash Bahadur Deuba is seen as influential within the Sudurpaschim Parliamentary Party, with a majority of members reportedly supporting him. He was elected from Kailali Constituency No. 5 (2).

Sudurpaschim Province has 18 Nepali Congress provincial assembly members. It is anticipated that a coalition government involving the Congress, UML, and Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) will be formed.

Meanwhile, a letter has been sent to the Provincial Assembly Secretariat regarding a vote of confidence for the current Chief Minister, Dirgha Raj Sodari. Based on this letter, a provincial assembly meeting has been convened.

Following the political agreement between UML and Congress on July 1, which led to the UML’s exit from the government, the Sodari-led administration has been in a minority. With Chief Minister Sodari expected to be unable to secure a vote of confidence, the competition for leadership of the state government within the Congress has intensified.