Kathmandu, May 5

Coordinator of Nepali Congress’ central publicity sub-committee Ramesh Lekhak today defended his party’s decision to forge electoral alliance with the CPN-Maoist Centre.

Addressing a press conference here today, Lekhak said his party had forged poll alliance with the CPN-MC for some seats of the local level elections as per necessity.

Lekhak said the NC had forged an alliance with the CPN-MC as the latter was committed to republican order, federalism and inclusion. He said the alliance between the NC and the CPN-MC at a time when polarisation was increasing in the Parliament was very important as it would increase the acceptance of the new constitution.

Lekhak also urged party cadres and leaders to implement the party’s decision in the run up to the local polls. He said the party saw encouraging number of people from indigenous nationalities, Madhesis and Dalits contesting local polls on the party’s ticket.

The NC and the CPN-Maoist Centre have forged poll alliance in two metropolitan cities, one sub-metropolitan city and four municipalities.

As per the understanding between the NC and the CPN-MC, the NC would support the former’s mayoral candidates Ramji Kunwar in Lekhanath Municipality and Renu Dahal in Bharatpur Municipality.

CPN-MC will support NC’s mayoral candidate Anand Raj Parajuli in Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City, while the NC would support CPN-MC’s mayoral candidate Lav Shankar Bista in Thaha Municipality, Makwanpur.

Local committees of the NC and the CPN-MC have forged poll alliance in Nilkantha Municipality of Dhading district where NC has fielded Bhim Dhungana as mayoral candidate and the CPN-MC has fielded Shailesh Bhandari as deputy mayoral candidate.

The CPN-MC has agreed to support NC’s mayoral candidate in Bhemeshwar Municipality of Dolakha, while the NC would support CPN-MC’s candidate for deputy mayor Kamala Karki. Similarly, the CPN-MC would support NC’s mayoral candidate in Thuli Bheri Municipality of Dolpa Subarna Budha, while NC has agreed to support CPN-MC’s candidate for deputy mayor in the same municipality Laxmi Chandra Karki.

According to Lekhak, a total of 109 members from indigenous nationalities, Madhesis and Dalits are Nepali Congress’ candidates for the post of chiefs and deputy chiefs of local levels in the first phase of local polls slated for May 14.

A total of 97 Janajatis, Madhesis and Dalits are NC candidates for deputy chief of local levels.

Similarly, two women are in the fray for the post of mayor of municipalities and four women are contesting the post of chiefs of village municipalities.