National Independent Party Karnali Province Chairman Candidate Boycotts Election

Surkhet. National Independent Party (RSP) candidate for Karnali Province Chairman, Nandakishor (NK) Basnet, has boycotted the election. Madan Khadka, Sneha Upadhyay, and Basnet were candidates for the chairmanship in the first convention that began in Birendranagar on Sunday.

Although voting began at 10 AM on Tuesday, Basnet boycotted the election. The election was actually scheduled for Monday according to the schedule, but it could not be held due to disputes during delegate selection and candidate registration.

Basnet told Ratopati that he boycotted the election as it was being conducted without resolving these issues. 'This is a boycott from my side. Rather than participating in this election, I have alerted the higher levels by not participating,' he said.

According to Basnet, there was a dispute in delegate selection. 'We were told not to prolong that issue and to discuss it within the party later,' he said. 'Then we said, okay, let's move forward, and yesterday we proceeded with candidate registration. During that process, nominations were called. Everyone submitted applications, and the list of applicants was released.'

After the list of candidates was released, there was a schedule for claims and objections. 'I don't know who filed claims and objections, but when the final list came out, a person who had not even applied was included,' he said.

Basnet alleges that Raj Shah, the party's joint general secretary for the province, was not on the initial list of applicants, but his name appeared first on the second list.

Similarly, Basnet states that while seven people had applied in the women's cluster, the final list included ten names. 'There were issues regarding that yesterday. Friends also protested and chanted slogans,' he said. 'Then we agreed to resolve this issue by 7 AM the next morning, discuss it, and then proceed. The program yesterday evening was postponed.'

What happened next? (Basnet's statement verbatim)

After discussions began at 7:30 AM today, we presented our points, but they said, 'No, no, yesterday's issue is nothing. We are going to the election; whatever happened yesterday, happened. It's like this.'

I said, 'According to the current situation, only those who have applied should be on the list; names cannot be added during claims and objections. Names can never be added.' When we couldn't agree on that matter, a dispute arose between us. When I suggested stopping this and moving forward, friends said, 'No, we are going to the election.'

So, I said, 'You two are the candidates (Madan and Sneha), you two sit down.' They said, 'We will proceed based on the majority.' I thought, if you are going to apply majority-minority here, then what is the point of discussion?' and I left. After that, they started the voting. I am staying outside, saying I will not sign this voting process.

I did not participate in the voting process. I did not sign any minutes.

In that context, they again released a panel list called 'Madan Khadka Panel.' Releasing a panel list is the biggest harm to the National Independent Party. Contesting with a panel, forming factions, is not done in the National Independent Party. If you contest in groups, the party is finished. Dissatisfied with this, I have immediately filed a written complaint with the relevant departments of the party. Then I stayed outside without voting. This is the current situation.

Election Committee Denies Basnet's Allegations

Meanwhile, the election committee has denied the allegations made by Basnet. The committee also stated that the election could not be stopped due to Basnet.

BP Dahal, the coordinator of the election committee, said that the election process is moving forward according to the party's procedures related to the election.

Dahal also refuted the allegations raised by Basnet during candidate registration. According to him, based on the procedure, a preliminary list is published. The purpose of publishing a preliminary list is to allow for those who might have been missed or for claims and objections. Therefore, it is natural for the final list to differ from the preliminary one, he argued.

Clarifying the issue of seven names initially and ten later, Dahal said, 'The women who initially said they would be in the Dalit category later said they would be in the women's category. That matter was made a big issue. The final list had not yet been released. He did not even say that he would be in this position in the final list. Later, it was released, and after it was released, they came and started creating a dispute. That's all that happened.'

Why was the election proceeded with even after Basnet's boycott?

Election Committee Coordinator Dahal claimed that the voting process continued even though Basnet did not sign.

'NK Basnet is one party, so there is no question of stopping it,' he said. 'We cannot stop so many people because of one individual. Therefore, his other voters who are on the voter list came and voted. Only he remained.'

He stated that the election work is being carried forward based on the procedures, bylaws, and regulations. He added that the decision taken by the Election Commission in special circumstances is final. 'Therefore, whether he came or not, the election proceeded,' he added.

Dahal mentioned that Basnet did not agree even after much persuasion. 'This is a matter of the party's internal life, about strengthening the party, and this is the first convention,' he said. 'It is also an adjustment convention due to the current state of adjustment. Also, it needs to be strengthened. It is also about adhering to the procedures. It is a political process, and one must come within this process.'

He asserted that people from various factions have joined the party, and everyone may have their own interests and concerns, Dahal said. 'Now, after joining RSP, it may take time to integrate into the character of RSP,' he said. 'We are moving forward by following our code of conduct and our election-related procedures.'

Meanwhile, the ongoing voting has concluded. According to Coordinator Dahal, preparations are underway to count the votes shortly. Although the convention was organized at Shubha Hotel in Birendranagar since Sunday, the election is being held at the City Hall.