Deuba elected NC PP leader

Former premier and president of NC (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba (File Photo)

Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has been elected to the post of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Parliamentary Party (PP) leader by beating his rival and NC (D) leader, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar with almost double votes.

Deuba bagged a total of 24 votes against 13 votes secured by Gachhadar, according to latest reports.

Out of 38 members of the NC (D) Parliamentary Party, 37 members cast their vote in the elections held at the NC (D) parliamentary party office at Singha Durbar on Saturday. Counting of votes is underway. Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav, who is said to be unhappy with the party leadership for not getting her elected to the post of Speaker, remained absent in the voting.

NC (D) leader Bijay Kumar Gachhadar (File Photo)

A former general secretary of the breakaway NC (D), Gachhadar said he had decided to contest elections against Deuba after the latter refused to the dissident group's call for "One Person, One Post" formula. The dissident group comprising Gacchadar, Bal Bahadur KC and Sharat Singh Bhandari, among others, had asked Deuba not to contest for the post of NC (D) PP leader since he was elected to the post of NC (D) president unopposed early this year while he was in custody.

Deuba, however, did not oblige.

The dissident group had also blamed Deuba for the delay in sending names of party's representatives to be included in the council of ministers. nepalnews.com by May 20 06