Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party Meeting Underway

The Nepali Congress parliamentary party meeting has commenced at their office located in Singha Durbar. The meeting is set to approve the decision to appoint Bhishmaraj Angdembe as the leader of the parliamentary party. Following the 2064 (Bikram Sambat) first Constituent Assembly election, Angdembe will become the first leader to be selected unanimously by the party.

On 14th Baishakh, Kathmandu, the Nepali Congress parliamentary party meeting began, with the gathering held at the parliamentary party’s Singha Durbar office specifically to elect the party leader. Party chairman Gagan Thapa also participated in the meeting. This was his first visit to the parliamentary party office since being elected chairman at the special general convention. He was warmly greeted by co-general secretary and election committee coordinator Prakash Rasaily ‘Snehi,’ central member Muna Bhusal, and Kawa Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Dulal.

In today’s parliamentary party meeting, the leader of the party will be chosen. Prior to this, a meeting of the Congress Central Working Committee took place, during which it was decided to appoint Bhishmaraj Angdembe as the parliamentary party leader. This decision is now prepared to be ratified by the parliamentary party meeting. It marks the first time since the 2064 first Constituent Assembly election that the Congress party leader has been selected unanimously. Angdembe serves as a proportional representation member of parliament for Congress.

Initially, the main contenders for the parliamentary party leadership were Bhishmaraj Angdembe, Arjun Narasingh KC, and Mohan Acharya. However, voices within Congress advocated for Angdembe’s leadership as a message of unity. He was elected co-general secretary from the Deuba faction at the party’s 14th general convention, though he had not participated in the special general convention that elected Gagan Thapa as chairman. Subsequently, Angdembe posted on Facebook expressing his readiness to work in accordance with Chairman Thapa’s vision without aligning himself with any specific group.

Leaders including Deputy Chairman Bishwaprakash Sharma have also expressed that Angdembe should lead the parliamentary party to symbolize internal party unity. Supported by leaders from Sher Bahadur Deuba and Shekhar Koirala factions, sources indicate Angdembe holds a majority within the 38-member Nepali Congress parliamentary party.