National
NC working to finalise candidates for 1st phase
The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) on Thursday expedited discussions in the party to pick its candidates for the first-past-the-post election system for the first phase of federal and provincial polls scheduled for November 26.The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) on Thursday expedited discussions in the party to pick its candidates for the first-past-the-post election system for the first phase of federal and provincial polls scheduled for November 26.
Given the hectic festival activities in the coming two days, the NC was in a bid to finalise the list of its candidates by Thursday, as the nomination filing date for the November 26 elections is set for October 22 (Sunday).
Leaders claimed that senior leaders’ candidacies had already been finalised.
By the time the Post went to press on Thursday, top leaders of the party were still discussing the probable candidates for the 36 federal constituencies and 72 provincial constituencies of 32 districts. Bal Krishna Khand, a member of the NC’s Parliamentary Board, told the Post that the board members have been “working round the clock” in recent days to finalise the list.
For the NC, picking candidates has always been a daunting task given the presence of various factions led by senior leaders in the party.
Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel and leaders Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Khum Bahadur Khadka have their own lists of candidates.
Deuba is certain to contest from Dadeldhura district, which has remained his constituency since 1991. While Poudel is keen not to leave his Tanahun-1 constituency, he is likely to face a challenge from Govinda Raj Joshi.
Prakash Man Singh’s Kathmandu-1 constituency is certain.
Prakash Sharan Mahat and Minendra Rijal are set to contest from Kathmandu-4 and Morang-2 respectively.