Almost all parties have selected their candidates from the Muslim community in the municipalities and village councils in Rupandehi and Kapilvastu districts.

In Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, mostly Muslim candidates are in fray as there is a sizable Muslim population in the municipality.

The Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Loktantrik and the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal  have all picked Muslim candidates.

Salman Khan, a local of Bhairahawa, said the parties selected Muslim candidates as the move could garner them more votes. “Most of the parties are canvassing for votes with a commitment to arrange for a spacious burial ground for the Muslim community,” said Khan.

Kapilvastu has also witnessed the same trend, with major parties counting on Muslim vote banks in three municipalities and three village councils.

“We have selected Muslim candidates from the areas where there’s a Muslim majority,” said Baburam Khanal, district vice chairman of the UML, pinning hopes on securing seats on the back of Muslim votes. 

Ex-Kamlaris in fray

BARDIYA: Seven former Kamlari women (indentured girl child labourer) have been selected to contest the local polls in Bardiya. Six of them are vying for positions at Rajapur Municipality and the other at Badayiataal Village Council. Krishna Kumari Tharu of Sangharshanagar-4 in Rajapur Municipality-4 said she is running for the post of deputy mayor of the municipality from the CPN-UML. “I hope I can win the election,” she said.

Two CPN cadres held

DHANKUTA: Two members of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), led by Netra Bikram Chand, were arrested for anti-election activities in Dhankuta on Monday, police said. The party’s district coordinator Aakash and Dhankuta municipality coordinator Rajan were taken into custody as they were planning to disrupt the election campaigns of other parties.