The party finalized names from constituencies which faced less controversy over selection of candidates. The party is trying to settle disputes between the three factions led by Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Baburam Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha. [break]
A joint meeting of the candidate selection committee and party top leaders at Dahal´s residence on Sunday also finalized constituencies for the party´s top leaders, except for Shrestha.
“At present, I am focused on bringing the agitating CPN-Maoist on board the election process. I will choose my constituency only after the talks with the Baidya-led alliance reaches a logical conclusion,” Shrestha told Republica.
The leaders have decided to field Chairman Dahal from Kathmandu-10 and Siraha-5 while Bhattarai will be contesting from Gorakha-1 and Rupendehi-4. Similarly, former general secretary Post Bahadur Bogati will contest from Nuwakot-3.
The party has finalized candidates for various constituencies in Seti-Mahakali state committee, Bheri-Karnali and hilly regions of Kirat, Limbuwan and Tamuwan states.
“We will finalize candidates for the remaining constituencies after discussions,” said a member of the selection committee Devendra Paudel.
Most of the 42 candidates finalized so far are from the Dahal-led faction. Khagaraj Bhatta, who has been selected for Dadeldhura is from the Bhattarai-led faction. He was defeated by former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba from the same constituency in the last CA election. Bhatta´s chances are slim as Deuba, who has a very strong hold in the constituency, is certain to contest from the district.
Similarly, former CA member Durga Jayanti Rai has been selected for Khotang-1. She is from the Shrestha-led faction.
Shakti Basnet and his wife, also a former CA member Satya Pahadi have been nominated for Jajarkot-1 and Dolpa respectively. In the last CA election, Kali Bahadur Malla from the same party had won from Jajarkot-1.
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