Kathmandu, October 28
A total of 197 people have so far applied to become candidates for rural municipality chairperson from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Gandaki Province.
The RSP launched an online application process on August 17 for people interested in contesting rural municipality elections under its ‘Rural Municipality Candidate Club’.
No applications have been received from rural municipalities in Mustang and Manang. Mustang has five rural municipalities, while Manang has four.
Applications have been received from only three of the five rural municipalities in Myagdi. RSP Gandaki Province Chairperson Nabin Tripathi said the party was still building its organisation in Manang and Mustang, which explains the absence of aspirants from those districts so far.
The district-wise number of applicants seeking to become rural municipality chairpersons from the RSP stands at 41 in Gorkha, 32 in Syangja, 31 in Kaski, 23 each in Tanahun and Parbat, 16 in Baglung, 14 in Nawalpur, 11 in Lamjung and six in Myagdi.
Gandaki has a total of 58 rural municipalities. Gorkha, which has nine rural municipalities, has recorded the highest number of aspirants.
In Gorkha, nine people have applied from Ajirkot, four from Bhimsen Thapa, five from Barpak Sulikot, one each from Chumnubri and Dharche, and seven each from Gandaki, Shahid Lakhan and Siranchok rural municipalities.
In Baglung, which has six rural municipalities, 16 people have expressed interest in becoming chairperson candidates. Three applicants are from Badigad, two from Bareng, four each from Kathekhola and Nisikhola, two from Tamankhola and one from Tarakhola.
In Syangja, 32 people have submitted online applications across its six rural municipalities. Aandhikhola has the highest number of aspirants, with 10 applicants. Six people each have applied from Arjunchaupari and Phedikhola, five from Harinas, three from Kaligandaki and two from Biruwa.
Tanahun has six rural municipalities, with 23 applicants in total. Two people have applied from Aanbukhaireni, six each from Bandipur and Ghiring, four each from Devghat and Myagde, and one from Rishing.
In Parbat, which has five rural municipalities, seven people have applied from Bihadi, three from Jaljala, two from Mahashila, six from Modi and five from Paiyun. The district has recorded 23 aspirants so far.
Myagdi has five rural municipalities, but applications have come from only three. Two people each have applied from Dhaulagiri, Mangala and Raghuganga, bringing the total to six. No one has expressed interest in becoming a candidate from Annapurna or Malika rural municipalities.
In Kaski, which has four rural municipalities, 31 people have applied. Eight applicants are from Annapurna, nine from Machhapuchhre, 12 from Madi and two from Rupa.
In Lamjung, 11 people have applied across its four rural municipalities: two from Dordi, five from Dudhpokhari, one from Kwholasothar and three from Marsyangdi.
In Nawalpur, two people have applied from Baudikali, four from Bulingtar and eight from Hupsekot.
The RSP opened applications for people interested in becoming rural municipality representatives on August 17 and for those seeking positions in municipalities on October 15.
According to RSP leaders, while the number of aspirants for top positions is considerable, relatively few applications have been received for member positions.
“Compared to the chairperson’s position, fewer applications have been received for vice-chairperson. Applications for member positions are even fewer,” Tripathi said. “There is still time to apply. Some people are also waiting to join through lateral entry.”
The RSP has not yet set a deadline for applications.
