KATHMANDU: The influence of ‘legacy politics’ is diminishing within the Nepali Congress. In the past, the children of key leaders like BP Koirala, Mahendra Narayan Nidhi, Ganeshman Singh, and Girija Prasad Koirala have been closely tied to continuing their political legacies in the party.
BP Koirala, Nepal’s first elected Prime Minister, Mahendra Narayan, leader of the ‘People’s Government’ formed in Janakpur during the 2007 BS revolution, Ganeshman Singh, the supreme commander of the 2046 BS people’s movement, and Girija Prasad Koirala, who played a pivotal role in the overthrow of the 240-year-old monarchy, have all left legacies in the Nepali Congress.
Their descendants have followed in their footsteps, continuing ‘legacy politics’ within the party.
However, BP’s son Dr. Shashank, Mahendra Narayan’s son Bimalendra, Ganeshman’s son Prakashman, and Girija Prasad’s daughter Sujata, who have been prominent figures in ‘legacy politics,’ have recently been lobbying to bring one or another leader to the party’s leadership.
All four leaders associated with ‘political legacy’ are not politically inexperienced, though it remains unclear whether any of them will reach the party leadership.
It is widely believed that the politics of legacy in the Nepali Congress is diminishing.
Nepali Congress workers believe that, despite being appointed General Secretary at the 13th general convention, Shashank failed to demonstrate his leadership abilities when the party reached the 14th general convention.
A Nepali Congress leader remarked, “If we consider legacy politics as an asset, it will eventually decrease in importance. If we understand it as a liability, it will not impede progress. If it is viewed solely as an asset, the public may even seek alternatives.”
Another central Nepali Congress member stated, “Leaders carrying the legacy should remain active and contribute to unity. If they do so, their role will not diminish.”
In the context of ‘heritage politics,’ BP’s son Shashank, Mahendra Narayan’s son Bimalendra, and Ganeshman’s son Prakashman, often referred to as the ‘Princes’ of Nepali Congress, are seeking leadership support from President Sher Bahadur Deuba at the 15th General Convention of the party.
Meanwhile, Girija Prasad’s daughter Sujata is focused on internal preparations to position her brother Keshav’s son, Dr. Shekhar Koirala, as the ‘commander’ (President) of the party.
Sujata, however, did not back Shekhar in the previous 14th General Convention when he assumed the position of President.
Sujata herself contested the post of Vice President from Prakashman’s panel during the 14th General Convention.
In that election, Purna Bahadur Khadka from Deuba’s panel won with 2,121 votes, while Sujata secured only 644 votes. Subsequently, President Deuba nominated her to the Central Working Committee.
Sujata later ran for the Morang-2 seat in the 2079 BS elections but was defeated by CPN-UML’s Rishikesh Pokharel, who garnered 33,148 votes compared to Sujata’s 31,940 votes. Since then, she has been less active in party politics.
With her father Girija Prasad’s blessings, Sujata led the party as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the coalition government with the UML.
Girija Prasad also appointed Madhav Kumar Nepal, then leader of the UML, as Prime Minister despite Nepal not being a member of the Constituent Assembly.
In the 2007 BS armed revolution against the Rana regime, Mahendra Narayan was declared Prime Minister of the People’s Government after the Mukti Sena captured Janakpur.
Mahendra Narayan later became the unanimous President of the Nepali Congress in Mahottari in 2008 BS and assumed the role of General Secretary in the party.
Mahendra Narayan, known for his loyalty, honesty, and dedication, played a key role in expanding Nepali Congress’s influence in the Terai-Madhesh region. His son Bimalendra now aspires to lead the party at the 15th General Convention, though he lacks the support to claim the leadership on his own.
Bimalendra is seeking the endorsement of President Deuba for his presidential bid. He had rebelled against Deuba’s faction in the previous General Convention and contested the presidency, only to receive 250 votes.
During the second phase of the election, he supported Deuba, along with Prakashman.
Deuba had suggested that Bimalendra support him again this time and prepare for the 15th Convention. However, Bimalendra remains uncertain about Deuba’s trust in him.
Some within the Congress believe that had Bimalendra not rebelled in the 14th General Convention, he would have faced no competition for the leadership.
In recognition of his support during the second phase of the previous election, Deuba nominated Bimalendra as a central member of the party.
Currently a proportional representation MP, Bimalendra has continuously contested direct elections since 2051 BS and was included in the proportional representation in the last parliamentary election.
Bimalendra, once the Congress vice president, is now striving to become the unanimous and unopposed presidential candidate with Deuba’s backing.
In a recent television interview, he emphasized his goal of initiating a culture of cooperation and strengthening the Nepali Congress through a unified leadership.
“It is my wish to be a unanimous and unopposed candidate in the 15th General Convention,” he said, “to set a new example of unity in the Nepali Congress.”
Shashank, carrying the ‘political legacy,’ seeks leadership with Deuba’s support
Shashank, the son of BP Koirala, Nepal’s first elected Prime Minister, and a figure associated with ‘political legacy,’ appears eager to ascend to the leadership of the Nepali Congress with the backing of President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Shashank, who previously served as General Secretary, has been actively engaging with party members and traveling across districts in recent months.
Although Prakashman is linked with ‘legacy politics,’ it appears he will rely on Deuba’s support in the upcoming convention rather than his own strength.
Although Shashank has expressed his ambition to run for the presidency at the upcoming general convention, there are allegations that he did not perform adequately as General Secretary.
Nepali Congress workers believe that, despite being appointed General Secretary at the 13th general convention, Shashank failed to demonstrate his leadership abilities when the party reached the 14th general convention.
They note that he did not take the opportunity to replace Deuba as the leader and instead remained passive during the election process.
At the 14th general convention, Shashank remained silent. Prior to the convention, he and Dr. Shekhar Koirala had planned a joint press conference, but Shashank, who had gone to meet Prime Minister Deuba in Baluwatar, ended up in Sankhuwasabha via helicopter with Energy Minister Deepak Khadka.
Shashank, who was reluctant to support his brother Shekhar for the presidency at the 14th general convention, ran for a central member position instead.
He was successfully elected as an open central member with strong support, receiving the highest number of votes — 3,836 — from both Deuba’s and Shekhar’s panels.
Shashank was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2079 BS elections, representing Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Sustapur).
He defeated UML candidate Krishna Prasad Poudel, securing 27,067 votes against Poudel’s 25,047.
Prakashman, the son of Ganeshman Singh, known for his struggle and self-respect, is another leader with a ‘political legacy’ in the Nepali Congress.
Bimalendra, Shashank, and Prakashman, who all carry the ‘political legacy’ of their respective families, have already initiated internal preparations for the upcoming general convention.
He currently serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister in the government led by KP Sharma Oli. Prakashman, who has consistently won the parliamentary seat from Kathmandu-1, is also the Vice President of the Nepali Congress.
Prakashman has expressed his desire to become president at the upcoming general convention, associating himself with ‘legacy politics.’
He stated, “I came from the grassroots, and I also have a legacy. I rose from district-level leadership to General Secretary and Deputy President. Now, the party president and Prime Minister are yet to be elected.”
Although Prakashman is linked with ‘legacy politics,’ it appears he will rely on Deuba’s support in the upcoming convention rather than his own strength.
In the previous general convention, Prakashman formed a separate group and garnered 371 votes. However, he eventually supported Deuba during the second round of voting.
The dynamics within the party have shifted since the 14th general convention. Sujata, who became Vice President from the Singh panel, is now aligned with Dr. Shekhar Koirala, a presidential aspirant.
Similarly, Bishwaprakash Sharma, who secured the position of General Secretary from the Singh panel, is now aligned with another General Secretary, Gagan Kumar Thapa.
Bimalendra, Shashank, and Prakashman, who all carry the ‘political legacy’ of their respective families, have already initiated internal preparations for the upcoming general convention.
They held their first ‘lunch meeting’ at Shashank’s residence in Maharajgunj during the first week of last Asoj. A second meeting took place at Prakashman’s residence in Chaksibari some months ago.
These meetings follow the same pattern as the ones held during the last general convention, though at the last moment, both Bimalendra and Prakashman entered the presidential race.
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