10 candidates recommended by NC for Bhaktapur by-polls NCP undecided

KATHMANDU, Oct 31: Main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) has recommended the names of 10 candidates to the central committee for the upcoming by-election in Bhaktapur -1 (A).

NC Bhaktapur chapter has sent the names of Yadav Adhikari, Manoj Thapa, Kiran Kafle, Uddhav Khadka, Krishna Lal Bhandel, Subhadra Kafle, Rupa Thapa, Hari Nepal, Binod Kayastha and Suresh Shrestha.

Although the central committee had directed the NC Bhaktapur chapter to recommend three names, a district meeting of the party picked ten names due to the higher number of aspirants.

But, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is yet to decide their candidates despite a series of meetings held since last week.

Although the district chapter had sent a list of 18 aspirants to the district committee, the party is yet to forge consensus on picking one candidate.

“A meeting to be held today will try its best to pick one name in consensus,” said NCP district leader Som Prasad Mishra.

“If the party fails to pick one, then we will recommend three names. If the party cannot forge consensus on three candidates as well, then the names of all 18 candidates will be sent to the central committee,” he added.

The electoral constituency remains vacant following the demise of State Assembly member Hari Sharan Lamichhane in 2018. He was suffering from brain hemorrhage.

Lamichhane, a candidate of former CPN-UML, had defeated his rival from NC Jeevan Khatri in the State Assembly election in 2017.

The nomination filing for the House of Representative member in Kaski-2 and Provincial Assembly members in Bhaktapur 1 (A), Baglung 2(B) and Dang 3 (B) is scheduled for Nov 7, whereas the nomination filing for the election of three rural municipality chief viz. Falgunanda Rural Municipality of Panchthar, Makalu Rural Municipality of Samkhuwasaba and Pipara Rural Municipality of Mahottari district; Kharpunath Rural Municipality deputy chief; and 43 ward chairs in 40 local level of 34 districts has been set for Nov 13.

The by-election scheduled for November 30 will elect one member of House of Representative, three state assembly members, one mayor, three chairpersons, one vice-chair and 43 ward chairs, which have remained vacant in 43 districts.