Deuba Preparing to Appoint Acting President in Nepali Congress

After the Gen-Z movement protests of September 8–9, the Nepali Congress — the country’s oldest democratic party with more than eight decades of history — appears to be in a leadership vacuum.

Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was seriously injured during the protests on September 9, has been under medical treatment for about a month. For several weeks, even party insiders had little knowledge of his condition or whereabouts. In recent days, however, Deuba has resumed discussions with senior Congress leaders, signaling a return to party affairs.

A meeting of the party’s Central Committee has been called for Tuesday at Deuba’s request. According to family sources, he intends to address the meeting himself if his health permits.

Leadership Transition on the Horizon

The meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday, was postponed by two days at the request of office bearers who said preparations were incomplete.
Now, party insiders are increasingly discussing three key questions:

1. What steps will Deuba take?
2. What message will he deliver?
3. Will he voluntarily step down before his term expires?

Deuba’s current tenure is set to end in about two months. Although the party’s constitution allows a one-year extension in exceptional circumstances, Deuba himself has repeatedly stated that he is ready to retire from active politics. Insiders say the ongoing situation has simply pushed forward the deadline for leadership transition.

Likely Successor: Purna Bahadur Khadka

The Congress constitution allows a president to serve a maximum of two terms. Deuba was elected in both the 13th and 14th General Conventions.
Sources close to him say Deuba now plans to hand over acting leadership to Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, one of his most trusted allies.

If the acting president is appointed, Khadka will be responsible for calling the next General Convention. Such a transition would ensure continuity while preparing for new leadership.

Historically, acting leadership in Congress has always been assigned to trusted insiders. The only exception was after the death of Sushil Koirala, when Ram Chandra Poudel was appointed as acting president.

Since the 2002 party split, Khadka has been one of Deuba’s closest confidants, supporting him through all major political challenges.

Khadka Already Taking the Lead

In Deuba’s absence, Vice President Khadka chaired the Central Working Committee meetings on September 13 and September 19, and also led recent office-bearer meetings.
He has been holding separate discussions with top leaders from all factions — including Shekhar Koirala, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Prakash Man Singh, Prakash Sharan Mahat, and Bimalendra Nidhi.

He has also been in contact with General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, who have been campaigning for either a special or regular General Convention.

Internal Debate over Timing

A senior leader close to Deuba said the outgoing president faces two major challenges:

“If possible, he must hold the next General Convention within his leadership period, and if not, he should at least entrust the acting presidency to a credible and widely trusted figure before retiring.”

Party insiders say Deuba could hand over the acting presidency to Khadka during the upcoming Central Committee meeting. According to the party statute, the president can make this decision without the committee’s formal approval.

Growing Pressure for Change

Following the Gen-Z movement, calls for a leadership overhaul have intensified within the Congress. Deuba’s advancing age, declining health, and internal opposition alliances have made it difficult for him to continue actively.

However, leaders close to Deuba insist he should lead the party until the next General Convention.
In contrast, leaders like Shashank Koirala and Udaya Shumsher Rana have suggested that Deuba dissolve the current Central Committee and appoint a trusted acting president instead of calling a special convention.

Rana added that considering the shifting political context and Deuba’s health, appointing an acting president would be the most practical choice.

Mahadhiveshan Debate Intensifies

While spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat has said the General Convention will be held on schedule, other leaders are advocating for an early or special convention.
Mahat emphasized, “The party will also discuss how to unite its members and address the changing political environment. There is no formal discussion yet on appointing an acting president.”

The Central Committee meeting, set to begin Tuesday, is expected to finalize whether to move toward a regular or special convention — a decision that could shape the future of the Nepali Congress leadership.