Kathmandu, June 12
As the date set for filing nominations is approaching closer, major three political parties are facing a hard time finalising candidates for the second phase of local level elections in eight districts of Province 2.
Among Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre, the UML seems to be ahead of its two competitors in selection of candidates in Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa districts.
UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai says around 75 per cent candidates have been finalised whereas candidates for remaining places will be decided within next two days.
The party is yet to finalise the names of candidates for Birgunj Metropolitan City as well as Janakpur, Jitpur Simara and Kalaiya sub-metropolitan cities among others.
The Nepali Congress Central Office has not received recommendations from local and district committees, according to NC Central Working Committee member Ananda Prasad Dhungana.
The party has authorised district committees to finalise the names of candidates for rural municipalities whereas the names for municipalities, sub-metropolitan cities and metropolitan cities will be decided by the CWC.
The CPN-Maoist Centre spokesperson Pampha Bhusal says her party will finalise the names by upcoming Friday, the day the Election Commission has fixed to file nominations.
Party leaders from Province 2 including Matrika Yadav, Urmila Aryal, Mahendra Paswan, Prabhu Sah, Giriraj Mani Pokharel, Ajaya Shankar Nayak and Bishwanath Sah are working to finalise the names, according to party sources.
