KATHMANDU, May 26: Ruling Nepali Congress (NC) has expedited preparations to finalize its candidates for local units in Provinces 1, 2, 5 and 7 by Saturday.
A meeting of the NC's senior leaders held at party's headquarters in Sanepa on Thursday decided to finalize candidates for the second phase of local election scheduled for June 14. “We held discussions to finalize the local poll candidates at the earliest. We have decided to finalize candidates for the eastern hill districts and the western hill districts during the next meeting scheduled for 8 am, Friday,” said NC senior leader Arjun Narsingh KC.
In the selection process, the meeting has decided to give priority to the candidates recommended by the party's district committees. “We have agreed to give priority to the recommendations of the districts concerned and the popularity of the individual while selecting candidates,” KC further said.
As the vote counting of the first phase of local level poll in a few places is still underway, NC stands second largest party with the UML bagging most of the local units. Of the total 283 local where the elections were held in the first phase, the UML has won 122 local units, while leaving NC at 104 till Thursday evening.
NC leaders said the party is also doing homework to forge adjustments with like-minded parties in the remaining local units based on the recommendations of the party's local units. NC will finalize the candidates for the tarai districts after settling on the names of candidates of local units in the hill districts.
Govt change won't affect scheduled poll for June 14
Brushing aside suspicions that the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and subsequent formation of new government would affect the scheduled elections, NC has said that formation of a new government under NC leadership will not affect the second phase of the local polls.
Issuing a press statement on Thursday, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba said the rumors that the second phase of local polls have become uncertain have no basis. He has urged one and all to prepare for the elections.
While mentioning that process to elect new prime minister has already begun, Deuba said that the new government will be formed under NC's leadership. “There are definite and clear bases to form government under the leadership of Nepali Congress after completing the constitutional process,” he said. “I do not have to say anything about this. Entire nation is aware about this.”