The agitating supporters of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha removed the signboards of municipality and village councils in the southern part of Nawalparasi district. The protesters carrying black flags staged a demonstration in front of Ramgram Municipality and requested the locals to boycott the local level elections. Mukurji Giri, district coordinator of Morcha, said around 1,000 motorcycle-borne protesters staged demonstrations in Belaspur, Ujaini, Manjhariya and Parasi areas. 

Even as the Morcha supporters have been protesting after the government announced the date of the local level elections, major political parties have started organising election programmes in various parts of Nawalparasi district. The Nepali Congress started the door-to-door hustings in the district. Other parties, including the CPN-UML, the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the RPP are also on the campaign trails. Brijraj Kushwaha of Guthiprasaini-8 said some people have been involved in the protest following their parties’ directives. “Madhesi people are not against the upcoming elections,” he said.