KATHMANDU: After nearly a month of deadlock, the Nepali Congress—the main opposition party—is set to choose its parliamentary party leader today (Friday).
The election process has already begun, with the party publishing the voter list to initiate proceedings. A committee led by joint general secretary Prakash Rasaili Snehi, along with central member Muna Bhusal and advocate Raju Katuwal, has been assigned to oversee the election.
According to the schedule prepared by the Rasaili-led committee, the leader will be selected on April 24. Candidates are scheduled to file their nominations between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm today. Voting is scheduled to take place from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, after which vote counting will begin and results will be announced.
The Nepali Congress, which has 38 MPs in the House of Representaitves (HoR), is likely to witness a three-way contest for the parliamentary party leadership. Arjun Narasingh KC, Bhishmaraj Angdambe, and Mohan Acharya are expected to compete for the position.
KC has been the most vocal contender, consistently asserting his claim to leadership. A veteran politician active since the days of the Nepal Students’ Union and the Panchayat era, he is currently the senior-most MP in Parliament, having been elected through the proportional representation system.
He chaired the first meeting of the House of Representatives in 2024 and oversaw the election of the Speaker. As the senior-most member, he also presided over the meeting that selected the chair of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee.
KC argues that his seniority and deep understanding of parliamentary practice make him a natural choice. Party sources indicate that disagreements surrounding his candidacy contributed to delays in the selection process.
“It is wrong to label me merely as Gagan’s father-in-law,” he said, adding that he would refrain from the process if no agreement is reached.
Angdambe is another strong contender. A long-time ally of Sher Bahadur Deuba, he entered Parliament through the proportional representation system and has firmly stated that he will not withdraw from the race.
He has emphasized that while consensus would be preferable, the party should proceed with a democratic election if needed.
The party is currently facing internal divisions, with tensions between the old and new establishments persisting even after the general convention.
In this context, Angdambe is viewed by some as a figure who could help unify the party. Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma is also believed to be supportive of this possibility, although he has not publicly expressed a firm stance.
Likewise, Mohan Acharya is also in the race for the parliamentary party leadership. He is believed to have the backing of party President Gagan Thapa.
Thapa is reportedly not in favor of appointing leaders elected through the proportional representation system. Having secured a direct electoral victory himself, he prefers a leader who has also been directly elected and whom he personally trusts.
In this context, Mohan Acharya—who has consistently won direct elections from Rasuwa—has emerged as Thapa’s preferred candidate. Acharya and Thapa are known to share a close relationship dating back years, further strengthening his candidacy.
The leader of the main opposition party holds significant political weight, often regarded as an alternative prime minister and the head of the shadow government. The position also carries constitutional importance, as the leader serves as a member of the Constitutional Council responsible for appointing key officials to constitutional bodies.
Given these responsibilities, the selection of the parliamentary party leader is crucial. Moreover, in a historic party like the Nepali Congress, holding this position significantly elevates a leader’s political stature, making it highly sought after.
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