KATHMANDU, Sept 5: The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and the main opposition party, CPN-UML, have finalized the poll candidates for almost all local units in Province 2.

The two major parties publicized the names of chiefs and deputy chiefs of nearly all 136 municipalities and rural municipalities in eight districts of Province 2. Wednesday is the last day for nomination of candidates for the local polls scheduled for September 18.  

As the parties continue to do homework for forging electoral alliance to secure their victory even at the eleventh hour, both the parties have not publicized the names of their poll candidates in a few local units. Leaders said the poll candidates in the remaining local units shall be finalized by Wednesday for the nomination. 

The ruling NC is yet to decide on the poll candidates in  at least seven local units in Province 2. Meanwhile, the UML is yet to finalize the names in 18 local units in Dhanusha and chief or deputy chiefs of at least 11 other local units. 

The NC has nominated Suresh Kumar Khanal for mayor and Sita Kumari Mainali for deputy mayor of Nijgadh Municipality, Manoj Kumar Sah and Nilam Kumari Karna in Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City, Pralhad Chhetri and Tara Devi Mahato in Bardibas Municipality, Ashok Kumar Sah and Anita Devi Sharma in Jaleshwar Municipality, Ajaya Kumar Dwibedi and Shanti Karki in Birgunj Metropolitan City and Dhruba Dev and Sushila Kumari Yadav in Rajbiraj Municipality. 

Likewise, Achamit Lal Chaudhary and Punam Chaudhary in Lahan Municipality, Dr Subas Chandra Yadav and Shyama Devi Gupta Kamalapuri in Siraha Municipality, Sita Ram Yadav and Nirasala Devi Singh in Mirchaiya Muncipality, Baleshwar Mandal and Bidhya Devi Bhujel in Dhanusha Dham Municipality, Rajesh Roy Yadav and Rahima Khatun in Kalaiya Sub-metropolitan City are among the mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates, respectively, named by the NC. 

Similarly, the UML has named Madhab Mandal and Ragini Chaudhary for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor of Jaleshwar Municipality, Devendra Raya Yadav and Kasira Khataun in Malangawa Municipality, Sukha Ram Yadav and Mamata Chaudhary in Rajbiraj Municipality, Basaruddin Ansari and Sophiya Acharya in Birgunj Metropolitan City, Munni Shah and Sariyar Chaudhary in Lahan Municipality and Shambhu Sah and Indu Kumari Jha in Gaur Municipality. 

Meanwhile, issuing a press statement, the UML has alleged that the ruling parties had tried to terrorize the people in Province 2 and even made gross misuse of state resources. The party also alleged that sitting ministers and leaders of ruling parties were openly breaching the election code of conduct in Province 2. 

An unidentified group had detonated a minor bomb at the residence of UML mayoral candidate Munni Shah in Lahan Municipality, Tuesday evening.

 
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• province 2