KATHMANDU: The faction led by Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel is holding a meeting in a last-ditch effort to pick a common candidate for the post of party President today.

A meeting of the central members close to the Poudel group has been called today to forge consensus on a common candidate, said an NC leader.

Meanwhile, NC leader Dr Shekhar Koirala has held a consultation meeting with incumbent and former district presidents this morning.

Leader Koirala, who is staking a claim for the post of president in the 14th General Convention of Nepali Congress, consulted with the district presidents available in the Kathmandu Valley prior to the meeting with the central committee members.

Koirala’s personal secretary Dinesh Thapaliya informed that Koirala held discussions with district presidents close to him at Diyalo Foodland in Basundhara, Kathmandu.

A “closed-door” meeting of the leaders — Ram Chandra Poudel, Prakash Man Singh, Shashank Koirala and Shekhar Koirala — in Chaksibari on Wednesday failed to decide on a common candidate.

The leaders have held several rounds of discussions to pick a common candidate but in vain.

The NC’s 14^th General Convention is starting from tomorrow.