By-Election: CPN (Maoist Center) will not join hands with Nepali Congress in Illam-2

KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday announced a by-election in Illam and Bajhang on April 27.

The by-election is to be held in Illam-2 following the demise of parliament member and UML leader Subhash Nembang.

In the election held in 2079 BS, Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (Unified Socialist) had joined forces and contested the election.

However, this time, CPN (Maoist Center) has announced to not contest in the election forming an alliance with Nepali Congress.

“We have already informed Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal about not contesting the election joining forces with other parties,” said party’s Chairman for Koshi Province, Harka Bahadur Nembang. 

“We have urged Chairman Dahal to test our votes in the province this time and we are holding a meeting on this regard in Illam soon,” he further added. 

If CPN (Maoist Center) refuses to join forces, Nepali Congress is likely to suffer defeat in the election.

CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party and Maoist Center are looking forward to fielding their candidates in the election along side Nepali Congress.

Illam has always remained a stronghold of CPN-UML. Before the demise of UML leader Subhash Nembang, UML had continuously emerged victorious against Nepali Congress in Illam-2.

Following Nembang’s demise, the party is reportedly looking forward to field candidacy of his son, Suhang Nembang from Illam-2.