'Seven Brothers' and the Khadka–Deuba Successor Debate: Congress Leadership Still Uncertain

With Gagan Thapa already declaring his candidacy for the presidency in the 15th General Convention, the institutional "Seven Brothers" of the Nepali Congress are struggling to find a consensus candidate for the post.

While Shekhar Koirala, a leader from outside the institutional faction, has already announced his support for Gagan, pressure has increased on the institutional "Seven Brothers" of the Congress to find a common presidential candidate in time. However, they are still looking at each other and have not yet reached a decision on who will be the candidate.

After a month and a half of internal struggle, the Nepali Congress has finally plunged into the 15th General Convention. The Congress has entered the General Convention with a plan to elect new leadership at eight levels, starting from the ward level on Poush 16 until the Central Working Committee on Poush 28.

With the Central Working Committee meeting unanimously bringing forth a schedule last Monday, Mangsir 15, leaders have started preparing for the General Convention. Nevertheless, they have not yet openly announced their candidacies or potential positions.

In Congress circles lately, the former office bearers who have gained the identity of the 'Seven Brothers' and acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka are viewed as the 'successors' to President Sher Bahadur Deuba. It is difficult to predict right now which of these eight leaders will win the race.