Biratnagar, April 24
Perhaps in one of the unique examples in Nepal’s history, two archrivals–CPN-UML and Nepali Congress–have partnered for the upcoming local elections, in the Jhapa district of eastern Nepal.
In the Kachankawal rural municipality of the district, the two parties had decided to const the polls together with a sole bid to defeat the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
The RPP, despite being a small force in national politics, apparently holds a lot of influence in the district, which is also the home of its Chairman Rajendra Lingden and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli.
In the 2017 local elections, the RPP had won the leadership positions in Kachankawal.
According to the agreement between the UML and the Congress, the Congress will field its candidate for the chairperson whereas the UML will field its candidate for the deputy. The two parties will support each other.
“We are doing an odd practice in Jhapa,” Nepali Congress district president Deuman Thebe says.
