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Posted
on 19-Jun-02 03:22 AM
Nepali Congress elects Deuba as party president
PTI [ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2002 1:44:01 PM ]
KATHMANDU: Nepal's ruling party on Wednesday elected caretaker Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to be its new president, consolidating his power within the strife-torn organisation.
Deuba was elected uncontested by a national convention of the Nepali Congress (NC) held in Kathmandu, officials said.
The NC, on Tuesday threw out the former president, Girija Prasad Koirala, after he expelled Deuba from the party last month for three years in protest at his recommendation to King Gyanendra to dissolve parliament and call early elections.
The convention also overturned the expulsion order on 56-year-old Deuba.
"We are very much delighted that we have been able to choose Deuba as the Nepali Congress party president," said deputy home minister Devendra Raj Kandel, one of Deuba's aide.
"I am pleased to say that a person of Deuba's stature has been elected as the NC president who represents the younger generation of party, which will help to consolidate democracy and stability in the country.
Koirala has made no public comment on his removal, but had earlier said the convention, which was called by Deuba, was "illegal" because it was called by an expelled member.
Chakra Prasad Bastola, former foreign minister and aide of Koirala, alleged that some of those attending the convention were not official delegates.
"Many of the participants are false and this was done w without honouring the party constitution and norms," he said.
But minister of state for physical planning and technology, Bal Bahadur Balayar, refuting the charge said "The election of Deuba is legal and constitutional since there are enough delegates here."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_Id=13457078
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