Internal Strife Surfaces in Nepali Congress as Key Leaders Face Allegations of Colluding with Rival Candidate

Kathmandu. Vote-rigging and sabotage during elections is a recurring problem within political parties. Past examples show that this issue is comparatively more prevalent within the Nepali Congress. In the 2079 elections, the party brought dozens of leaders and cadres under disciplinary action for allegedly not supporting the official candidates.

With the government preparing to hold House of Representatives elections on Falgun 21, following the new political situation developed after the Janji movement, internal unity has become a matter of concern for the Congress. Leaders and cadres suggest that after Gagan Thapa was elected as the President in the special general convention held in the last week of Poush, the Sher Bahadur Deuba faction should set aside internal disputes and play a role in ensuring the victory of the party's candidates in the election.

However, some recent activities seen in Kathmandu have caused a stir within the Congress, and the leadership is taking it seriously. Sources indicate that while President Gagan Thapa is contesting the election with himself as the candidate for Prime Minister, some Congress leaders have been seen getting close to the competing candidate from Thapa's constituency, Amresh Kumar Singh, who is contesting from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

Singh, the RSP candidate in Sarlahi-4, felt pressure after heavyweight Thapa became a candidate. Because of this, he came to Kathmandu a week ago and met with Congress leaders.

According to sources, Amresh initially met with Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', the Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), at his residence. Sources claim that during the meeting, Amresh sought Prachanda's support, emphasizing that he must win the election by any means necessary.

Sources also state that during the meeting, Amresh assured Prachanda that he would initiate efforts from his side to make Prachanda the Prime Minister after the election. However, it is reported that Prachanda did not give a clear response regarding this matter.

After that, he attempted to meet with the former Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Since Deuba was unwilling to meet him directly, Amresh reportedly conveyed his message through Congress leader Mohan Bahadur Basnet. According to sources, Mohan Basnet briefed Deuba about the situation in Sarlahi-4 and necessary matters as discussed with Amresh. After hearing the briefing, sources claim Deuba instructed Basnet to remain in contact with Amresh.

It has also been revealed that Amresh visited leader Shekhar Koirala after meeting Deuba. When meeting Shekhar, Amresh reportedly claimed that he had met everyone from Prachanda to Deuba and was determined to win the election in Sarlahi. Sources suggest that the matter of Amresh claiming a green signal from both Prachanda and Deuba and presenting his case reached Gagan, leading Gagan to take it seriously and adopt his own strategy.

President Thapa responded that the party is aware of all such information. "The party has received all the information. The party center remains alert about all the maneuvers against me," he said.

Gagan has consistently stated that he chose to contest in Madhesh strategically, taking on a new challenge despite being secure in Kathmandu-4, with the aim of energizing the party. He asserts that he has raised issues concerning Madhesh many times in Parliament as a representative from Kathmandu-4, and this time he is a candidate in Madhesh with a commitment to understand the issues of Madhesh and Madhesis up close. Thapa is confident that the discerning voters of Sarlahi-4 will elect him this time, overcoming all challenges.

Meanwhile, candidate Singh asserted that he has only met leaders from his own party. Responding to Ratopati on Wednesday, he stated that he met with his party's Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah. He insisted that he has not met leaders from any other party.

"Why would I meet leaders from other parties? I have met with my party's chairman and senior leader," he said. He also claimed that his election campaign is gaining momentum.

Amresh, who contested as an independent after not getting a ticket from Congress in the 2079 elections, was elected. This time, he joined the RSP before the election and secured the ticket.

In the 2079 election, the votes in Sarlahi-4 were split in the direct contest. While the then Congress candidate Nagendra Kumar received 18,253 votes, Amresh was elected with 20,017 votes. Local Congress leaders say that the election atmosphere in Sarlahi-4 is very tense now that the Congress is united and the party president himself is the candidate. Furthermore, past election results show that the voters in that constituency are not permanently loyal to any single party.

There are 38 candidates in Sarlahi-4. Among them, Thapa and Singh are the most discussed. CPN-UML has nominated Amrish Kumar Yadav, CPN (Maoist Centre) has nominated Rajnish Ray, RPP has nominated Pradip Kumar Jha, Janmat Party has nominated Rakesh Kumar Mishra, PRLOPA has nominated Ramcharitra Sahani, and Ujyalo Nepal Party has nominated Pitambar Singh Kushwaha, while candidates from other smaller parties and independents are also in the field.