Three candidates from two different parties have withdrawn their nominations in Doti district on Sunday.

Naya Shakti’s federal parliament candidate Chandra Dev Ojha and provincial assembly candidate from electoral constituency ‘ka’, Kailash Saud, have withdrawn their candidacy to support Nepali Congress, it is learnt.

Likewise, Sanghiya Samajwadi Party Nepal’s provincial assembly candidate from constituency ‘Kha’, Man Bahadur Thapa, too has withdrawn his candidacy, according to Nawaraj Ojha of Chief Election Office.

Naya Shakti and Nepali Congress issued a 10-point joint press statement on Sunday. Naya Shakti candidate Chandra Dev Ojha said that he withdrew his nomination to protect the country from fake communists after NC agreed on development issues of Doti.

SSFN candidate Ojha, however, declined to give any comments on his withdrawal. He has hinted on extending support to NC candidate.

A total of 20 candidates from seven different parties had filed their nominations in Doti district for second phase of federal parliamentary and provincial assembly elections slated for December 7. The first phase of the elections is due on November 26.

Doti has one electoral constituency for federal parliamentary and two for provincial assembly elections.

It is learnt there is strong competition between left alliance and Nepali Congress in the district.