Chitwan, May 24
The CPN-Maoist Centre mayoral candidate Renu Dahal is narrowing down her difference with the leading candidate, Devi Gyawali of the CPN-UML, as the vote counting is underway in Bharatpur Metropolitan City of Chitwan.
As of Wednesday morning, votes from 17 among 29 wards of the city have been counted and Gyawali is leading the count with a difference of 2,658 votes.
So far, Gyawali has received 28,071 votes and Dahal is restricted to 25,413 votes.
The counting pattern shows that Dahal is gradually narrowing down the difference as ballot boxes from strongholds of Nepali Congress are being unsealed.
The NC has extended support to Dahal on the condition that the Maoist party would support its deputy mayoral candidate Parvati Shah.
Votes from wards 14-25 are yet to be counted and wards 15, 17, 18 and 19 are believed to be populated by NC supporters.
Likewise, it is expected that majority from wards 14 and 22 have also voted for Dahal.
The race, however, is still thrilling as the UML is considered the strongest force in other wards.
