International

Campaigning picks up for Nepal’s elections

— Photo: AP

Wooing voters: National Democratic Party of Nepal chairman Kamal Thapa (second left) greets his supporters in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Kathmandu: Campaigning has picked up in Kathmandu for the crucial April 10 Constituent Assembly elections that will decide the fate of the monarchy and frame a Constitution for Nepal.

The three major parties, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist, are the main contenders, said experts.

Maoist chief Prachanda, who is being projected by his party as the first President of Nepal, is said to contest elections from Kathmandu 10 constituency, considered to be a CPN-UML stronghold. CPN-UML candidate Sanu Shrestha will be Mr. Prachanda’s opponent in this constituency.

Mr. Prachanda has also filed his papers from Rolpa, a Maoists’ stronghold in western Nepal.

CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is contesting from Kathmandu Constituency No 2.

His opponents include Nepali Congress candidate Dipak Kuikel and Rashtriya Prajatantra Party candidate Deepak Meher Shrestha. Majority of the voters are from the rural areas.

Prakash Man Singh, the son of the legendary leader Ganesh Man Singh, is contesting from the prestigious Kathmandu 1 constituency. His opponents include CPN-UML stalwart and Education Minister Pradeep Nepal.

For the first time in Nepal, electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used in this constituency. India has donated the EVMs on a trial basis. The result of Kathmandu-1 is expected to be announced on the same day of voting,. The results for other constituencies may take two to three weeks, Nepal Election Commission sources said. Nepali Congress’ popular republican leader and central member Narahari Acharya is the candidate from Kathmandu-5 constituency where he would be challenged by CPN-UML’s Ishwor Pokharel, analysts said.

In the last election, Nepal’s largest party — the Nepali Congress — got only two out of seven seats in Kathmandu. — PTI

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu