MUSTANG: Indra Dhara Bista, who served as adviser to the last king of Mustang -- late Jigme Parwal Bista -- for 25 years, has declared his candidacy for the position of chief of Lo Mangthan Rural Municipality.

Adviser Bista, who was appointed the Vice Chairman of Lo Mangthan VDC in the past, contest the local level elections as an independent candidate.

Bista said he was contesting the election to keep the Mustangi king's cultural legacy alive. According to him, his election agendas include long-term operation of Korala border point, educational development and promotion of tourism in Upper Mustang.

Jigme Parwal Bista, who died in Kathmandu in December last year, was revered as a cultural king by locals even after the title of "petty king" was scrapped in 2008 after the political changes in Nepal and the country was declared a republic.

"People of Upper Mustang have great faith on the royal institution. It is important that we preserve it in a cultural front," he said, "Following the death of Jigme, we have plans to declare Prince Jigmesigme Parwal Bista as the cultural king next year."

He argued that the royal institution needs to be preserved as tourism of Mustang is interconnected with it.

Bista is the first to announce his candidacy for the top post in Lo Mangthan.