KATHMANDU, Dec 16: Newly-elected Member of the House of Representatives Bidya Bhattarai will take the oath of office and secrecy on Wednesday.

Bhattarai, the wife of late Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari, was elected from Kaski constituency-2 in the recently concluded by-election defeating her rival from Nepali Congress Khamraj Paudel with a margin of 8,403 votes.

The constituency had been vacant after Adhikari lost his life in a helicopter crash in Taplajung earlier this February.

Deputy Speaker Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Bhattarai as the position of Speaker lies vacant since the resignation of Krishna Bahadur Mahara following the rape attempt allegations.

Bhattarai, who was active in the erstwhile CPN-UML’s student wing, had given up politics after she got married to Adhikari in 1999.

She was an assistant professor at the Tribhuvan University before her candidacy from Kaski-2 in the House of Representatives by-election.

INTERVIEW: Dr. Chandra Bhandari has been the central committee member of the main opposition Nepali Congress party. He also served as a member of the constituent assembly from Gulmi-2 in 2013 that was instrumental in establishing the federal republican constitution of Nepal.

Dr. Bhandari was recently interviewed by the President of the Reporters Club and senior journalist Rishi Dhamala. The following are excerpts from that interview which was conducted in Nepali.

How do you evaluate the by-election results?

This by-election has shown that the citizens are now aware and partisan coalitions and distribution do not work, it has to be addressed by the people. The citizens have given a clear sign of what they want through the results of the by-election.

Why did NC win in Bhaktapur, but lose in Pokhara -2?

We had lost both the seats in the previous election. NC has always lost in places like Bhaktapur, Dharan, and Pokhara. Comparing it with previous results we have significantly improved. The results have proven that if NC selects their candidate, and avoids sharing and distribution it can win. But I am not trying to say that we have now become perfect.

You had earlier said that the Government has not been working, but it is seen that it is?

The outcome of the government’s work has not been by the activities of the government, the results are different. This election showed that people are now looking for a new outlook, and not partisan. It has indicated that they wan’t work and progress, not just simply raising hands and giving big speeches. The people are now looking for visionaries who can implement plans into concrete actions.

Does that mean the public now likes only the Congress and the Communists?

People have supported their respective parties. Receipts are cut for individuals who then adhere to their party whether they are corrupt or dishonest it does not matter. The results of the present elections have shown that people can unite for their party, public opinion is divided across party lines, and Nepal can be a good example of partisan politics.

Did the government’s unpopularity make your party win?

I have answered this before. NC did win but due to the factionalism of different senior leaders and groups, a different internal politics was played. Instead of working for the aspirations of the people, leaders were involved in factional and group politics that had everyone divided. Similarly, on the other hand, Nepali citizens were facing rising expenses and corruption, but rather than looking at these critical aspects their political party was dearer for them. Other new parties that have come as an alternative were not successful at all. We won in Bhaktapur and Dharan due to hard work, if we continue raising the issues of corruption and insecurity I feel that NC will do well in the coming days.

Has this election lost leadership in many ways?

In my view, I do not think any leader can drive the system forward.

The anti-India slogan you carried for the elections, has it been a loss or gain?

We have not carried any anti-India slogan. It is pertinent that everybody speaks when it comes to the protection of our nation. We cannot submit to any other country. The situation has gone awkward, we have tried our best to save it. Issues that are connected with nationalism should not be compared in terms of gains or a loss, which is not right.

Even China has encroached borders of Nepal, but NC President asked the internal wing to protest against India, why?

The Prime Minister and the President of the NC raised the issue and had a strong stand. But the Ministers that were concerned with the Cabinet and the bureaucracy were unable to do much and they portrayed lack of concern.

Even leaders from the NC who were given responsibility by the party president were unable to question or provide a formidable action plan. No side could come out with a strong statement for the nation. I have also noticed a discord between the Prime Minister and leaders of the opposition parties.

Reporters Club Event: “We made a constitution after the revolution, and there were many challenges ahead of us,” said former Minister and central committee member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Ananda Pokharel.

In a special interaction program organized at the Reporters Club last week, the former Minister spoke about the by-election results and the ruling party is playing a major role in implementing the newly acquired constitution.

“In two years NCP has implemented the constitution and further strengthened the republican and federal system. The first challenge had been to ameliorate nationalism, the second was implementing the constitution, and the third was developing the nation”.

“We won 75% of the seats in the by-election. It is the beauty of the system and institutionalized the process of democracy and individual voting rights. We are one, we have united, and we fight as one party”.

“NCP is united and we have fought this election together. NCP did not lose the Bhaktapur seat due to internal factionalism or betrayal. It was because we were not able to identify the strategy of the other coalition parties. It has nothing got to do with factionalism, we are united as ever. I have watched the by-elections closely all our cadres worked closely with one another” he said.

DANG: Chairman of the Former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party Marxist (CPN-M) Chandra Prakash Mainali stated that his party stands for ”equality and inclusion”.

Speaking at a special press interaction program organized by the Reporters Club Dang chapter in Tulsipur the former DPM said we always will stand for the principles of inclusion and equality.

The program was officiated by the President of the Reporters Club Dang chapter Sharad Regmi, where the Chair of the CPN-M divulged that his party was against secularism. “CPN-M is against secularism but that does not mean we are in favor of a Hindu nation”.

Mainali accused the current government was involved in proselytization toward Christianity. The government worked tirelessly to promote and make the Christian conference a success, leaders received millions of Nepalese rupees (NRs) and the influence of Christianity is rapidly increasing.

He also stated that “we have to be responsible for our nation. We are in favor of making a strong nation, and it is our party is inclined toward developing social wealth and the economy, that is our primary aim”.

He said that “it was time to end mafias, syndicates, and capitalists. There is an urgency to develop national wealth, industries and give opportunities for the rise of small scale businesses.

Mainali also spoke on the importance of equal gender rights. “Our party is strictly against individuals who are living illegally in the country and citizenship should not be distributed without proper verification”.

He also requested the people to support his party for the upcoming by-elections in Dang-3 for the state assembly. He asked the voters to verify and be aware of the different agendas of the political parties before going to vote. This program was conducted by the general secretary of the Reporters Club Dang chapter Bimal Gautam.

KASKI, Nov 7: A total of 65 candidates have registered their candidacy for the position of by-election of one House of Representative member and three State Assembly members, which is scheduled for Nov 30.

22 candidates filed their nomination for the HoR by-election in Kaski consituencuy-2 while in Bhaktapur 1 (A), Baglung 2 (B) and Dang 3 (B), 19, 10 and 14 candidates registered their candidacy.

Nepal Communist Party (NCP)’s Bidya Bhattarai, Nepali Congress (NC)’s Khemraj Poudel and NC (BP)’s Chandra Bahadur Ranabhat, Socialist Party’s Dharma Raj Gurung, Sajha Party’s Rajani KC, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP)’s Rom Bahadur Bhandari registered their respective nominations for Kaski-2 constituency, according to the District Election Office, Kaski.

Likewise, Nepal Communist Party (ML)’s Teknath Bhandari, Rastriya Janamukti Party’s Purna Bahadur Rana, Deshbhakta Samaj’s Bir Bahadur Bishwakarma and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Unified)’s Ganga Malla have also filed their nominations.

Other independent candidates to register their nominations to contest in the by-election for HoR post are Umanath Gautam, Kamaljung Kunwar, Jamuna Sharma, Deepak Regmi, Nawaraj Bastola, Purushottam Khanal, Yagya Prasad Pangeni, Ran Bahadur Damai, Laxmi Kumari Bhujel, Sunil Bahadur Koirala and Sunil Bhusal.

In Bhaktapur 1 (A), 19 candidates from nine political parties ten independent candidates filed their nominations.

NCP’s Devi Prasad Dhakal, NC’s Krishna Lal Bhandel and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party’s Niraj Lawaju, RPP’s Shyam Prasad Nepal, Shaja Party’s Suraj Pradhan, Samajbadi’s Sudarshan Kumar Munkarni, NCP (ML)’s Sudarsan Lamichhane, NC (BP)’s Madhu Sudan Neupane, Federal Loktantrik Rastriya Manch’s Mingmar Lama filed their nomination.

Likewise, Krishna Prasad Hyamo, Krishna Ram Potamaha, Jeevan Nepali, Arjun Koju, Rakesh Suwal, Uttam Sakhkarmi, Sumana Karki, Jeevan Chandar Adhikari, Sujata Deuja, Sangita Paudel Acharya filed their nomination as independent candidates.

In Baglung 2 (B) NCP’s and Rastriya Janamorcha’s common candidate Rajmoka Khim Bikram Shahi, NC’s Jeet Bahadur Sherchan, Samajbadi’s Ashok Kumar BK, RPP (United)’s Nim Bahadur Bhandari, RPP’s Ganesh Bahadur Kunwar, Rastriya Janamukti’s Yam Bahadur Ale, Fedreal Loktantrik Rastriya Manch’s Anil Kumar Rai, Mongol National Organization’s Mitra Bahadur Magar registered their nominations while Sherman Gharti, Santosh Bhandari registered their candidacy as independent candidates.

In Dang 3 (B), NCP’s Bimala Oli, NC’s Keshab Acharya, Rastriya Janamukti’s Dhan Raj Sunar, Nepal Worker and Peasant Party’s Suresh Pariyar, RPP (United) Choti Lal Tharu, NCP (ML)’s Hari Prasad Dangi, Samajbadi’s Dilli Bahadur Dangi, RPP’s Bhupal Rawat, NC (BP)’s Deepak Kumar Dhital, Nepal Loktantrik Party’s Sonu Bahadur Khatri, Mongol National’s Ghana Shyam Chaudhary, Samajbadi’s Shiva Kumar Chaudhary filed their nominations while Govinda KC and Tikaram Acharya registered as independent candidates.

KATHMANDU, Nov 7: The Election Commission said the office of the chief returning officer and the returning officer have been set up in 48 places in 37 districts for the upcoming by-election.

The by-election is scheduled for Nov 30, which will elect one member of the House of Representatives, three members of the State Assembly, one mayor of a sub-metropolitan City, three chairpersons, one vice-chairperson and 43 ward chairs of Rural Municipality.

The candidates’ nomination filing for the member of the HoR and State Assembly election took place today between 11 am to 1 pm. The EC will publish the names of candidates who filed their nomination later in the afternoon.

The nomination filing for the election of other positions will take place on Nov 13.

KATHMANDU, Nov 6: The main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC) has picked Khemraj Poudel for the House of Representatives by-election in Kaski constituency 2.

A meeting of the party held at the residence of President Sher Bahadur Deuba decided to field Poudel for the November by-election.

Earlier, NC district chapter Kaski had sent a name list of 16 aspirants to the central committee for the constituency as the party failed to make consensus on one candidate.

The constituency remains vacant after Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation died in a helicopter crash in Taplejung in February last year.

Ruling NCP has fielded the wife of late minister Adhikari Bidya Bhattarai in the constituency while Samajbadi Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) have nominated Dharma Raj Gurung and Rom Bahadur Bhandari as their candidates respectively.

The by-election, scheduled for Nov 30, which will elect one House of Representative member, three Province Assembly members, three Rural Municipality chairs, one Rural Municipality vice-chair and 43 ward chairs in 37 districts.

KASKI, Nov 4: Samajbadi Party has fielded its province committee member Dharma Raj Gurung for the House of Representatives by-election in Kaski-2 while Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has named Rom Bahadur Bhandari, a member of the publicity department of the party as its candidate.

Ruling Nepal Communist Party has already picked Bidya Bhattarai, wife of late Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation and lawmaker Rabindra Adhikari, who died in a helicopter crash last year.

The constituency has been vacant following the death of Adhikari.

Meanwhile, main opposition party Nepal Congress is yet to pick a candidate for the by-election.

The NC Kaski chapter has recommended 16 names for the constituency.

The by-election is scheduled for Nov 30, which will elect one House of Representative member, three Province Assembly members, three Rural Municipality chairs, one Rural Municipality vice-chair and 43 ward chairs in 37 districts.

KATHMANDU, Nov 2: The main opposition Nepali Congress Party (NC) Central Working Committee (CWC) is currently underway. The meeting is taking place at the party headquarters in Sanepa.

The meeting will discuss strategies along with candidate selection for the upcoming by-elections scheduled for 30th November.

While the leaders were entering the party headquarters they were met with angry and protesting student leaders who demanded that the National Student Union’s (NSU) constitution be followed.

(NSU youth wing in favor of setting the limit of the post of President to 32)

The youth wing members protested and voiced grave concerns over the trampling of the constitution, the student wing’s chants echoed throughout the streets with ” you cannot trample the constitution, old age is not required”.

The students were carrying placards and protesting outside the party headquarters and are against the decision of the NC central committee in appointing aged people to lead the student wing.

While there are two factions that have a dispute, the CWC has recommended that the maximum age of the student wing President should not cross 32. While there are supporters to this new amendment most leaders who have crossed the age of 32 are intemperately disappointed.

(Photo Credit: Mukunda Kalikote for Reporters Club) 

KATHMANDU, Nov 1: The ministry of Home Affairs has prepared the security action plan for the upcoming by-election scheduled for Nov 30.

The ministry presented and discussed the security plan in a meeting on Friday.

The plan presented a draft of integrated mobilization of Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and security force from National Investigation Department in view of the security during the election.

Home Minister Thapa lauded the security action plan as “good” and directed the concerned bodies to further fine-tune the plan as per the need and based on the sensitivity of the area and experience from the past elections.

The minister also directed the security bodies to make necessary preparations for conducting election in a free, fair, peaceful environment.