Former Congress cadres in poll fray

Syangja, January 2:

Govardhan Shrestha and Chandra Prasad GT, both involved with the Nepali Congress (NC) at different times, announced their candidature for the post of the mayor of Putalibazaar municipality yesterday.

Govardan Shrestha is currently the secretary of the Syangja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, while Chandra Prasad GT is the founder member of Nepal Students’ Union, a NC sister organisation.

GT had resigned from the NC after the party decided to terminate his general membership for supporting the February 1 royal move.

Similarly, Lal Chand Gaire has announced his candidature for the mayor of Waling municipality. Gaire, a fervent supporter of February 1 royal move, was the government-nominated mayor of Waling municipality.

Meanwhile, the seven agitating parties here on Sunday decided to actively boycott the municipal polls. NC Putalibazaar town committee has formed a polls boycott committee with 1001 members under the chairmanship of NC town chairman Krishna Prasad Aryal. A meeting of the seven agitating parties also decided to form other polls boycott committees in both municipalities of the district.

The local activists of different political parties said the number of candidates willing to take part in the polls would decrease drastically if the Maoists terminated their unilateral ceasefire. However, government-nominated DDC and security officials have said the polls will be held in a fair and peaceful manner.

Sources also say the Maoists have started talks on the upcoming municipal polls with political activists at Chitrebhanjyang, Chisapani, Majhkot, Sirsekot, Thumpokhara, Malya-ngkot and Nibuwakharka.