Disappointed by the Supreme Court’s verdict, the CPN-UML has said Sunday’s ruling has saddened the party but “it believes voters of Bharatpur Ward-19 will do the party justice”.

Endorsing a special proposal on the apex court’s order, a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee held at Chairman KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Balkot said the apex court had not only dishonoured the people’s verdict, but the party suspects it might also set a bad precedent. However, the main opposition did not say it will not accept the verdict. Party Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai said the Standing Committee has taken the issue seriously.

The UML claims that CPN (Maoist Centre) representatives tore up the ballot papers in a premeditated move after sensing that the party’s mayor candidate was going to lose.