CPN-UML Withdraws Candidacy in Manang, Ceding Race to Congress Amid Local Mediation

Manang. The main contesting party, CPN-UML, has decided not to contest the election in Manang. UML candidate Polden Chhopang Gurung has submitted an application to withdraw his candidacy to the Office of the Chief Returning Officer. According to Chief Returning Officer Ram Prasad Paudel, the letter of withdrawal for the UML candidacy has been registered. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has also decided not to contest the election in Manang.

RPP candidate Kubir Singh Gurung has also submitted an application for the withdrawal of his nomination. According to sources, the CPN-UML will support the Congress in Manang. Now, the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) are the main competitors here. The CPN (Maoist Centre) has nominated Yashoda Subedi as its candidate.

Why did UML withdraw?

After the Congress and UML became the main competitors in Manang, the Lamas (spiritual leaders) in the villages attempted to broker a deal. Their proposal was that the major parties should participate in the election unitedly this time to avoid frequent quarrels and occasional untoward incidents during the election. When both candidates remained uncompromising during a meeting held in Bhratang on Thursday, a decision by drawing lots (chittha) was proposed.

When the lots were drawn in the presence of Congress candidate Tek Bahadur Gurung and UML candidate Polden Chhopang Gurung, the decision favored the Congress to contest the upcoming election while the UML would step back. Accordingly, Polden is withdrawing his candidacy early Friday morning. This tradition is old in Manang.

According to the drawing of lots, the UML will secure two Provincial Assembly constituencies. There is an understanding that the Congress will support the UML in the Provincial Assembly seats in the next election. Chief Returning Officer Paudel informed that a decision on the nomination withdrawal application will only be made after 3 PM.