Maoist Center claims to win 290 local units in upcoming local polls

KATHMANDU, April 4: The CPN (Maoist Center) has claimed to win 290 local units across the country in the upcoming local level elections scheduled for May 13.

Earlier in the local level polls held on 2074 BS, the party had won 106 local units out of 753 local units. However, the party has maintained that the number will increase in the upcoming local polls.

“After the general convention of the party, the number of party cadres stands at 900,000. The party has become more organized and strong. There is no doubt in MC winning at least 290 local units,” said Devendra Poudel, Minister for Education, Science and Technology and former standing committee member of the party. “Besides, if an electoral alliance goes well, the number is likely to surpass 300.”

MC will win highest number of local units in Province 1: Harka Bahadur Nembang

Total local units: 137

Last election result: 9

Projected result in upcoming election: 35

Harka Bahadur Nembang, Chairman of the party of Province 1, maintained that the party will win the highest number of local units in Province 1 in the upcoming local polls. In the similar polls held in 2074 BS, the party had stood victorious in 9 local units. Of them, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Rangeli Municipality have already joined the CPN-UML.

“In the polls of 2074 BS, the party had won nine local units, and was second and third in 60 other local units. So, this time, the party will win 35 local units as the UML has splitted and an electoral alliance is being formed among ruling coalition members,” said Nembang.

Split of the party won’t affect results of polls in Madhesh Province: Province Chair Prahlad Budathoki 

Total local units: 136

Last election result: 21

Projection in upcoming polls: 60

Many of the leaders of the party in the Province have joined the main opposition party, CPN-UML. In the earlier election, the party had registered 21 local units. 

After Prabhu Shah joined UML, as many as nine local representatives representing Maoist Center in the Province quit the party.

However, Province Chair Prahlad Budathoki has maintained that the split of the party won’t affect results of the upcoming election.

“With the ruling coalition members forming an electoral alliance, the party will be victorious in 60 local units in the upcoming polls,” claimed Budathoki.

Maoist Center will win 40 local units in Bagmati Province: Saral Sahayatri

Total local units: 119

Last election result: 16

Projection in upcoming polls: 40

The party won 16 local units in the local-level election held in 2074 BS. Besides, the party was in the second position in 20 local units and third in other units. 

Saral Sahayatri, Province Chair of the party, has claimed that the party will stand victorious in as many as 60 local units in the upcoming polls. “The party can easily win in those local units where the party had become second in the last polls. The victory will be ours in those local units where we were third, if we work hard this time,” said Yatri. “With an electoral alliance the number is likely to surpass 40,” he added. 

We are analyzing our position: Chakrapani Khanal

Total local units: 109

Last election result: 19

Projection in upcoming polls: 30

According to the party leaders, no chief of local units representing the party has quit the party so far. So, there will be no effect of split of the party in the upcoming local elections, said Chakrapani Khanal, Provincial incharge of the party. 

“We are confident that the party will win more local units than in 2074 BS with an electoral alliance being formed,” Khanal said. “We can solely win in more than 30 local units.” 

MC solely will win 15 local units in Gandaki: Gayatri Gurung

Total local units: 85

Last election result: 5

Projection in upcoming polls: 15

In the last election, Gandaki Province was the province where the party was victorious in the least number of local units. This time, the party has claimed to register wins in as many as 15 local units. With an electoral alliance being formed, the projection has been increased to 25.

We are confident that MC will be the first party in Karnali: Bimala KC

Total local units: 79

Last election result: 26

Projection in upcoming polls: 40

In the local level polls of 2074 BS, UML had won in 27 local units, NC in 25 and two by independent candidates. 

Since, UML has splitted and NC is a member of an electoral alliance, the Maoist Center will win in as many as 40 local units, said Bimala KC, Province chair.

MC will win in 20 local local units in Sudurpaschim Province: Khagraj Bhatta

Total local units: 80

Last election result: 10

Projection in upcoming polls: 20

According to the party leaders, only a few of the party leaders have joined UML. So, the split of the party is less likely to affect the party in the next election.

Even if leaders like Lekhraj Bhatta have joined UML, the party will solely win 20 local units in the upcoming local election, said Khagraj Bhatta, Province Incharge of the party.

“With an electoral alliance being formed, the number is likely to surge to 30,” Bhatta added.