Kathmandu, Nov.11: Amid trading of charges, an intense power
struggle is brewing in the ruling Nepali Congress to capture the
party’s leadership at a convention in January.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s niece says he is too old to
effectively lead the party in the 21st century.

” We are all aware how old they are,” Shailja Acharya said implying
that Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai who are now in their seventies
should voluntarily relinquish power to the party’s second generation.
Krishna Prasad Bhattarai ,the only surviving founder member of the
party, agrees but supports the campaign efforts of former Prime Minister
Sher Bahadur Deuba to head the organization.

Acharya announced her candidacy for the presidency months ahead of
Koirala who said this week he will seek re-election.

” I will not contest against him (Koirala). But I will try to get his
support until the last moment,” she said.

She charged Deuba of attempting to capture party leadership through
money power.

” One group is trying to gain ascendancy through money power while
another is ruining and splitting the organization by manipulating the
Prime Minister. A third outlet is the need of the hour,” Acharya said.
Koirala critics, including Bhattarai and Debua, charge the Prime
Minister of power mania, dictatorship, nepotism and fraud by trying to
manipulate the January elections by enlisting fake voters as active
members.

” There is no internal democracy in the party. His supporters are
slaves, ” Deuba says.

” Such charges are irresponsible. Party workers will evaluate the
leaders in the January elections, ” Sushil Koirala, General Secretary and
a cousin of the Prime Minister said.