CHITWAN, APRIL 28
Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand today met Nepali Congress leader Jagannath Poudel, who has filed independent candidacy for the post of mayor from Bharatpur metropolis for the upcoming local election.
During the meeting, Minister Khand urged Poudel and his team to withdraw the candidacy and help implement the agreement reached among the five ruling political parties on electoral alliance in view of the local polls slated for May 13.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, the minister said, "The electoral alliance was forged among the government coalition partners in a special situation and we have urged Poudel to contribute to its enforcement."
Khand said the party was always committed to protecting democracy. Prior to the meeting with Poudel, the minister had met Mina Kharel who had proposed Poudel's candidacy and Krishna Lal Sapkota who backed it.
While talking to media following the meeting with Minister Khand, the independent candidate said that he apprised the minister that it seemed impossible for him to step aside from the race.
It may be noted that the NC has already decided to support the CPN-Maoist Centre in the election of mayor in Bharatpur.
Minister of State Umesh Shrestha, NC Chitwan President Rajeshwor Khanal and other local leaders accompanied Minister Khand during the meeting.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 29, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
