Left alliance close to finalizing FPTP candidates

Former DIG Silwal among UML candidates

KATHMANDU, Oct 30 :CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) are close to finalizing their FPTP (first-past-the-post) candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Of the total 165 constituencies under the FPTP system, the two parties have finalized candidates for 107 constituencies so far. Leaders of both the parties said they plan to make the list public after finalizing the candidates for all 165 constituencies.

Teams of both the parties tasked with the work have been holding several rounds of talks at the residence of UML Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam for over a week now. The two parties are currently working to finalize candidates in over 20 FPTP constituencies.

The Election Commission has set November 2 for submitting the list of FPTP candidates for the second phase of the parliamentary elections to be held on December 7. Altogether 128 of the total 165 constituencies under the FPTP are witnessing polls in the second phase of the parliamentary elections. The EC is holding both federal parliament and provincial assembly polls simultaneously in the remaining 37 constituencies on November 26.

The UML-led leftist alliance comprises the CPN (Maoist Center), People's Front and a few other parties. The UML and Maoist Center have agreed to share the constituencies on 60:40 ratio after allocating certain seats to fringe parties that have chosen to be part of the alliance.

According to a senior UML leader, UML candidates for various 43 FPTP constituencies have been finalized so far for the second phase of the polls. The candidates finalized so far include UML chief KP Oli (Jhapa 5), Madhav Nepal (Kathmandu 2), Jhalanath Khanal (Ilam 1), Subash Nembang (Ilam 2), Ishwar Pokharel (Kathmandu 5), Bamdev Gautam (Bardiya 1) and Bhim Rawal (Achham 1).

Other UML leaders finalized as FPTP candidtes include L P Sanwa (Jhapa 4), Rishikesh Pokharel (Morang 2), Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal (Morang 3), Lalbabu Pandit (Morang 6), Rajendra Rai (Dhankuta), Tejman Kangdamba (Tehrathum), Manju Chaudhary (Udayapur 1), and Jagannath Khatiwada (Udayapur 2).

Similarly, UML's Gokul Baskota (Kavre 2), Mahesh Basnet (Bhaktapur 2), Krishna Rai (Kathmandu 3), Rajan Bhattarai (Kathmandu 4), Ishwar Pokharel (Kathmandu 5), and Rambir Manandhar (Kathmandu 6) have also been finalized as FPTP candidates, according to UML sources.

Interestingly, the UML has decided to field former DIG Nawa Raj Silwal from Lalitpur 1 as its FPTP candidate for the parliamentary elections. The UML has finalized Krishna Lal Maharjan (Lalitpur 2), Surendra Pandey (Chitwan 1), Krishna Bhakta Pokharel (Chitwan 2), Kisan Shrestha (Tanahu 1), Kedar Sigdel (Tanahu 2), Khaga Raj Adhikari (Kaski 1), Rabindra Adhikari (Kaski 2), Padhma Aryal (Syangja 2), Tilak Mahat (Nawalpur 2), Hridayesh Tripathi (Parasi 1) and Bishnu Paudel (Rupandehi 2) as FPTP candidates.

Similarly, Brijesh Kumar Gupta (Kapilvastu 2), Dal Bahadur Rana( Palpa 1), Pradip Gyawali (Gulmi 1), Gokarna Bista (Gulmi2), Metmani Chaudhary (Dang 1), Pashupati Dayal Mishra (Banke 2), Dhruva Kumar Shahi (Surkhet 1), Garima Shah (Kailai 1), Jhapat Rawal (Kailali 2), Narad Mani Rana (Kailali 5 and Prem Ale (Doti) have also been finalized as FPTP candidates for the second phase of of parliamentary polls.