KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Prakash Man Singh has said that he will not back off from the presidential race.

With hardly one day to go before the 14th General Convention of the NC, former General Secretary Singh said so reiterating his claim for the post to lead the party in accordance with the party statute.

Singh’s stance has further complicated the Poudel faction’s effort to pick a common candidate with a few hours left before the general convention to begin.

Unveiling the monument of late leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai at Baneshwor this morning, Singh said that he is staking the claim for the leadership with agenda items including leading the party as per the party statute and establishing it as a democratic party.

Meanwhile, Singh expressed sadness stating that no NC leaders have taken the devotion made by leader Bhattarai into consideration for the sake of the party unity.

The Poudel faction is holding a meeting with central working committee (CWC) members close to the faction to pick a consensual candidate today.

NC’s 14th general convention is taking place from tomorrow.