The by-elections dealt a blow to the main opposition, Nepali Congress (NC), which lost both the constituencies – Dhanusha-5 and Kanchanpur-4 – won in last year’s Constituent Assembly election by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, respectively. However, its candidate Dr Shekhar Koirala brought some relief to the grand old party by winning in the traditional NC stronghold of Morang-7.
Another ruling party – Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF) – received a blow also, as Morang-7, which was won by its senior leader and Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar last year, fell to NC’s Koirala. However, the MPRF was able to retain Morang-5 constituency, which was won by MPRF chief Upendra Yadav last year.
CPN-UML, which didn’t have any seat to lose, is richer by at least one seat in the 601-member CA. UML candidate Raghubir Mahaseth won in President Dr Ram Baran Yadav’s constituency.
Of the results declared in five constituencies, the Unified CPN-Maoist has won in two, while three parties (UML, NC and MPRF) have won one each. If the Maoists win in their stronghold of Rolpa-2, they will also be one seat richer in the CA.
It is also interesting to note that three candidates defeated in last year´s CA poll have won this time. Mahaseth was defeated by MPRF´s Sanjay Kumar Sah in Dhanusha-4, Dr Koirala was defeated by Gachchhadar and Maoist´s Harish Thakulla had been defeated by NC´s Sher Bahadur Deuba in Kanchanpur-4.
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