Sunday, January 8 2006 14:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Deposed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, jailed on corruption charges, has been elected unopposed President of the Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC-D),an ally of the seven-party alliance agitating against King Gyanendra's direct rule.

During its 11th General Convention, the party elected Deuba as its President yesterday and also deleted Constitutional Monarchy from its statute replacing it with the Commitment for Peace and Inclusive Democracy, NC-D spokesman Minendra Rijal said.

Deuba and former minister Prakash Man Singh have been jailed by the Royal Corruption Control Commission (RCCC) for their alleged involvement in irregularity in the Melamchi Drinking Water Project when they were in power.

The party's 1,500 General Convention members will also elect 18 members to its 27 member Central Working Committee (CWC) and the rest will be nominated by the Party President.

Former Minister Singh is also contesting election for the post of CWC member from jail.

Deuba was sacked by King Gyanendra on February one last year when the monarch assumed absolute power suspending press freedom and civil rights.