The newly formed Sajha party has picked Ramesh Maharjan and Shova Shakya to run for the post of mayor and deputy mayor of Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City in the local level elections.

Born into an agricultural family, Maharjan, 53, is the central coordination committee member of the party.

He is also the Chairman of Federation of Nepal Gold Silver Gem and Jewellery Associations.

Maharjan is the working committee member of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce.

To preserve the traditional architechure, he is currently leading a project to reconstruct around 100 typical traditional Newari houses hit hard by April 25, 2015 devastating earthquake.

Maharjan has also established the Maya Foundation in the name of his mother. He is also associated with the Lumbini Buddhist Universiry and Disabled Service Association.

Born in the premises of Rudrabarna Mahabihar in Patan, Shakya, 54, is a social worker and a businesswoman. She is also the Vice-Chair of Shakya Singh Bihar.

With 500 women employees, Shakya is operating a handicraft factory in Patan.

Earlier, she was involved in various projects to empower women and uplift their status.

The Party has already fielded former Secretary Kishore Thapa and advocate Nirupama Yadav as the mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates for the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.