KATHMANDU, June 20: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s wife and NC central member Arzu Rana Deuba has alleged that Balen Shah was able to secure victory as Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City by paying money to Routine of Nepal Band (RONB), a facebook page, for his election publicity campaign.
Arzu claimed that Mayor Balen had used the RONB as a media consultant for his election publicity to secure victory in KMC. Addressing a program organized by Nepal Tarun Dal, a youth wing of the ruling Nepali Congress(NC), said that independent candidates were able to secure victory by identifying certain qualities that they need to solicit votes during the election.
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Arzu’s remarks come in the wake of a number of independent candidates securing victory in the election. A number of others have announced to contest election as independent candidates in the upcoming provincial and federal elections.
“The independent candidates that have won the election have become leaders by recognizing one quality after another," she said. “How much did Balen pay to hire Routine of Nepal Bandh?” .
Arzu, however, was skeptical if independent candidates would be able to perform as they have promised to people before the elections. Stating that it would be difficult to serve the people outside the party system, she said that the work of the independent candidates, who have secured victory in the recent elections, is yet to be seen.
Arzu also said that it is good to see that some people have come to politics after leaving various professions including journalism. "It is good. It is fun when people with different ideas come to politics. However, it remains to be seen how their work will turn out,” she further said.
Arzu also said she was worried about good governance as it is more difficult to work at the local level.
