Mahato denies taking money while picking NA candidates

KATHMANDU, Jan 7: Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) Rajendra Mahato has claimed that the selection of candidates for the National Assembly (NA) election was done in consensus.

His remarks come in the wake of the rumors that he and three other leaders Sarad Singh Bhandari, Raj Kishor Yadav and Anil Jha received Rs 30 million for naming pro-monarchy supporters Mrigendra Singh Yadav and Shekhar Singh as the candidates for the upcoming NA election.

The Election Commission has scheduled the NA Election for January 23.

“The candidates were picked in consensus and based on their qualification and contribution to the party,” Mahato told Reporters Club Nepal.

“The decision was taken as per the party policy and statue,” he added.

When inquired about the rumors, he said: “The accusations are not true. Is there any proof?”

The issue came to the light after leaders Mahanta Thakur and Mahendra Yadav expressed dissatisfaction over the nominations of Yadav and Singh.

However, RJPN General Secretary Keshav Jha, who was among the favorite to be picked for the NA election, also claimed the candidates were finalized in agreement among all six leaders of the presidium committee.

“This is the party’s decision. All the decisions are made in agreement among the presidium members,” he said.  

It may be noted that RJPN has forged alliance with the ruling Nepal Communist Party for the election.