ITAHARI, July 4: Two heavyweights of Madhesi politics, Nepal Loktantrik Forum's (NLF) Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar and Federal Socialist Forum Nepal's (FSFN) Chairman Upendra Yadav have sustained their influence in their home district of Sunsari.
Both parties registered victories for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor in their respective electoral constituencies.
There are three local units in constituency no. 3 of Sunsari that are Gachchhadar's home constituencies. NLF managed to win the posts of both mayor and deputy mayor in two units, Duhabi Municipality and Barja Rural Municipality. In Duhabi, NLF's Ved Kumar Gachhadar got elected as the mayor with 7,420 votes defeating his nearest rival, Gaurishankar Rauniyar of Nepali Congress, who managed to secure 5,615 votes.
Vedkumar is also a close relative of NLF leader Gachchhadar. Meanwhile, Sunita Dahal (Sah) of NLF has become the deputy mayor securing 6,686 votes. She defeated CPN UML's Chandrakala Bishwas who got only 5,889 votes.
Among the 12 wards in Duhabi Municipality, NLF emerged won in 5, NC and UML won 3 each and Federal Socialist Forum managed to bag one.
Vedkumar started his political journey in 2052 BS becoming secretary of Nepali Congress in Bhaluwa District Development Committee (DDC). After changing his party, he is currently in NLFs Central Working Committee. On the other hand, deputy mayor elect Sunita Dahal was affiliated with the Nepali Congress's student wing Nepal Student Union until 2049 before changing party.
In Barju Rural Municipality, NLF'S Raghunandan Chaudhary got elected as the chief gathering 4,734 votes and beating his nearest rival from CPN UML, Fanilal Chaudhary who got 3,692 votes. Similarly, Sangitakumari Raya won the post of deputy chief securing 4,622 votes defeating her nearest rival from CPN UML, Somkumari Gurung who got 3,668 votes.
In the five wards in this rural municipality, NLF and UML managed to win two wards each while NC and CPN (Maoists Center) secured one ward.
There were 14 District Development Committees, according to the previous structures in Gachhadar's polling region. Among them, Chadbela DDC got merged into Inaruwa Municipality. The 13 DDCs now have been included into Duhabi Municipality and Gadhi and Barju rural municipalities respectively. Nepali Congress has been leading in Gadhi Rural Municipality in the election for both chief and deputy chief. CPN UML has won ward no.1 while NC bagged Ward no. 2, 5 and 6.
This result has prompted Gachchhadar to participate in the victory rally which took place yesterday in Duhabi. His participation shows his passion towards his home constituencies where his influence is still prevalent.
FSFN's President Upendra Yadav, who managed to establish the Madheshi agenda through their revolution, managed to win Bhokraha Rural Municipality. Mahendra Yadav became the rural municipality's chief securing 3,528 votes and defeating his rival from the Nepali Congress, Ajmal Akhtar who got 1,993 votes. Socialist Forum's Punkumari Mehata won the post of deputy chief with 3,343 votes beating her closest rival, Anjudevi Mehata of Nepali Congress who got 2,305 votes.
Chief-elect Yadav has been active in politics since 2046. He was defeated in the last local level elections by 19 votes in the election for the chief post where he represented RPP Nepal. Yadav has maintained a clean image and is seen as an active politician. Deputy chief-elect Mehata, who has a short political career, now has secured an important post in these local polls.
Among the eight wards in Bhokraha Rural Municipality, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and CPN-UML won three wards each while Nepali Congress bagged two wards.
In Koshi Rural Municipality, FSFN's rebel candidate Dev Krishna Yadav has been leading in the race for the post of chief.
Meanwhile, in Harinagar Rural Municipality, NC Chief and Deputy Chief Candidates are inching towards victory.
Bhokraha, Koshi and Harinagar rural municipalities fall in Socialist Forum Nepal's leader Yadav's polling region.
Upendra Yadav lobbying hard to prevent Gachchhadar
