Surkhet, October 11

Many of the influential leaders from Province 6 have shown no interest in contesting provincial elections as they are eyeing parliamentary polls.

As the central leaders are reluctant to contest in provincial elections, second rung leaders of the major parties — the Nepali congress, the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre — are most likely to vie for the post of chief minister in the province. NC leader Purna Bahadur Khadka’s name has been proposed from Surkhet constituency 1 for the parliamentary election.

Earlier, many people were speculating that Khadka might be a strong candidate for the chief minister from the party in the province.

Similarly, former minister and NC leader Hridaya Ram Thani has been recommended from Surkhet constituency 2 for the parliamentary election. He said that he would not contest provincial elections. Similarly, former minister Jeewan Bahadur Shahi, a parliamentary member from Humla, also is also not keen in contesting provincial elections though his party has yet not proposed him name for parliamentary elections.

Another influential NC leader Rajiv Bikram Shah of Jajarkot also has been proposed for parliamentary elections.

Similarly, UML influential central leaders are also not interested in contesting provincial elections.

Though UML politburo member and deputy in-charge of the province Yam Lal Kandel’s name was recommended for the provincial elections, the scenario has changed after party’s electoral alliance with the CPN-MC. Kandel is a strong aspirant candidate for the post of chief minister. The CPN-MC is claiming the post in the province after the left alliance.

Another UML influential leader of the province and a parliamentarian from Salyan Prakash Jwala also seems reluctant to contest provincial elections. However, the party has recommended his name for the provincial elections under Proportional Representation Electoral System. Jwala also was a prospective candidate from the party for the post of chief minister.

Same goes with the central leaders of the CPN-MC. Comparatively, the party has stronghold in the province. Minister for Home Affairs and central leader Janardan Sharma, former Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet and Energy Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi are most likely to contest the parliamentary elections from Rukum, Jajarkot and Kalikot respectively.

All three leaders were the prospective candidates for the post of chief minister from the party.

Meanwhile, Yuba Raj Gyawali, province coordinator of the CPN-UML, said that they were yet to discuss about candidates for the post of chief minister in the province. There are 12 constituencies for parliamentary elections and 24 constituencies for provincial elections in the province.