Kathmandu (TIP): Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will be the ruling Nepali Congress party’s candidate for the post of Prime Minister in the new government after he was elected the parliamentary party leader on Wednesday. The 76-year-old Nepali Congress President, who has served as the prime minister for a record fifth term, defeated his challenger party General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa by 39 votes, officials said. Deuba secured 64 votes, while Thapa could muster only 25 votes, they said. All 89 lawmakers of the party participated in the voting. The win means that Deuba will possibly lead the next government after the Nepali Congress emerged as the single-largest party in the general elections held on November 20 in Nepal. Deuba thanked party lawmakers and said that he will work to create a party free from obstacles. “Everyone helped me win. (pti)