Dhangadhi/Bajura, June 30

The Nepali Congress is leading in Province 7, according to the results of second phase of civic polls announced till this evening.

The NC has won in two municipalities and five rural municipalities while the UML has secured victory in one municipality and three rural municipalities. The CPN-Maoist Centre has won in one rural municipality.

UML’s Biseshwor Prasad Ojha and Sangita Bhandari have been elected mayor and deputy mayor of Amargadhi Municipality in Dadeldhura. The municipality is considered NC’s stronghold.

NC’s Bal Bahadur Gurung and Jwala Bogati won the post of chair and deputy chair in Alital Rural Municipality in Dadeldhura. NC’s Kaushi Bhatta and Padam Bahadur Bohora won chair and deputy chair posts in Bhageswor Rural Municipality. In Ganyapur Rural Municipality, NC’s Nawal Malla won the chair’s post. CPN-Maoist Centre’s Umesh Bhatta won the chair’s post in Dadeldhura’s Ajayameru Rural Municipality.

In Baitadi’s Pancheswor Rural Municipality, UML’s Gorakh Bahadur Chand won the chair’s post as Bina Bhatta of the same party won the vice-chair’s post. Of 10 local levels in Baitadi, NC is leading in five, while UML is leading in four.

In Bajahng’s Kanda Rural Municipality, NC’s Rajendra Dhami and Kalpana Bohora respectively won the chair and vice-chair posts. Similarly, UML’s Karna Bahadur Kathayat defeated NC’s Gyan Bahadur Bohora to win the post of Masta Rural Municipality chair.

UML’s Prayagraj Joshi and Parbati Devi won the chair and deputy chair’s posts in Durgathali Rural Municipality in the district.

NC’s Padam Baduwal won the mayoral post in Bajura’s Badimalika Municipality. He defeated UML’s Gagan Rawal. Lokendra Shahi from NC won the mayoral post in Doti’s KI Singh Municipality.

In Darchula’s Mahakali Municipality, NC’s Hansaraj Bhatta won the post of mayor.