KATHMANDU: One of the three contenders of the Nepali Congress presidential election, Krishna Prasad Sitaula said he did not wish the run-off poll to be held, in order to include what he called 'sentiments of all in the party.' After none of the three rivals - Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ram Chandra Paudel and Sitaula - got 50 per cent plus one of total votes in the poll held yesterday, the party is holding the run-off between top two contenders - Deuba and Paudel - this afternoon. Those who voted for Sitaula in the phase-one poll on Sunday have been expected to play the decisive role to decide the new party chief for next five years. But, Sitaula's appeal apparently has rendered both Deuba and Paudel doubtful of their victory. 'When we return from the general convention,' Sitaula said in a press statement issued just two hours before the run-off election, 'we should take with us the message of a unified Congress, not the one divided into factions.' 'My belief is that,' the leader elaborated, 'If we can ensure a situation that includes sentiments of all in the party before the second-round voting begins and skip the voting, the general convention can convey a positive message.' The party statute, however, has a provision that the run-off be held in case no any contender gets 50 per cent plus one votes in the first round of election. The statement by Sitaula, who had an academic background in law, is apparently not in the line set by the statute. 'Only the unified Congress can collectively confront the changes facing us.' The run-off poll is slated to begin at 2 pm. READ ALSO:

• Sitaula withdraws from run-off avoidance call

District presidents extend support to Paudel Meanwhile, as many as 41 of 75 district presidents of the party issued a joint appeal and urged representatives to vote for Paudel. They argued that Paudel's victory would be a must for institutional development of the party and a feeling of unity.