CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara has said that he wanted to contest the upcoming elections from Rolpa, but the party’s another leader Barsha Man Pun became a hindrance for him. Mahara later decided to contest the elections from Dang constituency-2.

Mahara has already started campaigning for elections in Dang, however, he hinted that he has prioritised Rolpa. Mahara left his electoral constituency in Dang on Monday and reached Libang of Rolpa Municipality-1 to inaugurate the Technical College, giving message that his is still in the village.

It is learnt that Mahara donated 30 ropanis of land to establish the Technical College in Rolpa.

Mahara repeatedly mentioned in his speech that he has not deserted Rolpa.

“Though I am contesting the elections from Dang, I have not left Rolpa. I am still here. Think that I am here,” he said, adding, “I am always willing to develop Rolpa regardless of my current constituency is in Dang.”

“I had to contest the upcoming elections from Dang as I was left without options,” he further said.

He also attended a press conference organised in Libang, where he told media that he is still in Rolpa. Pun was also present at the press conference.

Pun, on the other hand, showed dissatisfaction over Mahara’s presence in his constituency during the time of elections. Pun believed that Mahara’s presence in his electoral constituency was a conspiracy.

Mahara, who canvassed votes for Maoist Centre’s Kul Prasad KC and Dipendra Kumar Pun, did not canvass votes for Pun.

Mahara and Pun have been struggling for long for the leadership of Rolpa which has only one constituency. It is learnt that Pun wants to become a single leader in the district.

Pun’s wife Onsari Gharti, who was the Speaker of Legislature-Parliament, has filed her candidacy as an independent candidate from Rolpa.

Teacher by profession in the past, Mahara is an influential leader of Rolpa.

Mahara was elected as a lawmaker from the Rolpa constituency-2 in the Parliamentary election held in 1998.

He won the Constituent Assembly election from Dang constituency-3 in 2007 and got elected in the Constituent Assembly from Rolpa constituency-1 in 2013.

Mahara and Pun had altercated during the candidates’ selection process for the local level elections. Later, they agreed to share Rolpa Municipality.

The duo, however, said that they do not have any conflict between them.