EC: Koirala-led NC legitimate
Mixed reactions on long awaited decision

By Ritu Raj Subedi

KATHMANDU, Sept 17: The Election Commission (EC) has recognised the Nepali Congress (NC) led by Girija Prasad Koirala as the legitimate NC party and has awarded it the party's election symbol - the tree.

Giving a two-point verdict in one of the most controversial intra-party tussles Tuesday afternoon, the EC has put to rest speculations, but only for the time being.

"As the Nepali Congress presided by Koirala is registered with the EC for the general election, the Election Commission has decided to give continuity (to the registration) by recognising the Nepali Congress headed by him," said the EC's secretary Shambhu Prasad Khanal, reading out the decision.

The EC called the Nepali Congress headed by Sher Bahadur Deuba a separate group of the NC. The EC said it would register the group as a separate political party if it comes with a separate name and a separate election symbol within the next seven days.

"It is only an interim decision, and the Commission will give its final decision at a latter date," EC spokesman Tej Muni Bajracharya told The Rising Nepal. But he did not specify when.

The tussle between the two factions began after the central working committee of the NC expelled Prime Minister Deuba from the party in May for 'disobeying' the party's directive not to extend the emergency.

Deuba in retaliation called a gathering of the party's national convention representatives and the Mahasamiti (general convention) members on June 16.

Three days later, the gathering, which took the form of an alternative party convention, amended the party statute and changed the leadership, electing Deuba as the new party president and ousting Koirala.

Other Stories

• Verdict unexpected: Deuba
• EC recognition positive step
• Govt for quality education: PM
• No alternative to polls: Leaders