Three Nepali Congress Leaders Defy Party, Refuse to Withdraw Rebel Candidacies Ahead of Elections

Kathmandu. Three leaders from the Nepali Congress have not withdrawn their rebel candidacies for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21. Rebel candidates from the Nepali Congress are contesting in Kapilvastu-1, Saptari-4, and Parsa-4.

In Kapilvastu 1, Ashish Sharma has filed an independent candidacy. He is the son of Deep Kumar Upadhyay, a former central committee member of the Congress, former ambassador to India, and former minister.

The Congress has nominated Athar Kamal Musalman as the candidate for that constituency. Ashish filed his candidacy in protest against the party's decision.

In Saptari 4, the party's House of Representatives regional chairman, Sitaram Shah, has filed his candidacy. Shah, who was seeking a ticket, filed a rebel candidacy in protest after the party nominated Tejulal Chaudhary. Chaudhary was elected from the same constituency in the 2079 elections.

In Parsa 4, the party's Provincial Assembly regional chairman, Ram Lakhan Mahato, has registered a rebel candidacy. Sources indicate that he has been inactive in the party recently. The Congress has nominated Ramesh Rijal as the candidate for that constituency.

The Congress has called a meeting of its Discipline Committee on Friday, Falgun 8, to issue an ultimatum to them, setting a deadline for the withdrawal of their candidacies.

The committee led by Central Committee member Taramana Gurung is preparing to set a deadline and issue an ultimatum in its first meeting, and if the candidacies are not withdrawn by that time, the party intends to take disciplinary action.

Dhana Khatiwada and Subash Kumar Pokharel are members of the Discipline Committee.