Kathmandu — Top leaders of major political parties have reached their respective constituencies to file candidacies for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for February 21, while some are in the process of traveling to their constituencies.
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa’s constituency is Kathmandu-4. However, it remains unclear whether he will contest from the same constituency this time or shift to another. Party sources say Thapa is prepared to personally present himself and file nomination from whichever constituency the party assigns him.
CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli reached Jhapa on Monday. Oli has returned to his hometown to file his candidacy from Jhapa Constituency No. 5.
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has also headed to his constituency. He reached Rukum West by air on Monday afternoon and is scheduled to proceed to Rukum East, from where he is filing his candidacy this time.
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane is returning to Chitwan to file his candidacy from Chitwan-2. Lamichhane had reached Janakpur on Monday to address an election rally and is returning directly to Chitwan after the program.
Similarly, senior Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Balendra Shah (Balen) is filing his candidacy from Jhapa Constituency No. 5. After addressing a party meeting in Janakpur, he is heading toward Damak. His secretariat stated that he is expected to reach Damak by Monday evening after receiving the party ticket from President Lamichhane in Janakpur.
RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden is also traveling to Jhapa, where he is filing his candidacy from Jhapa-3.
Likewise, Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav is heading to Saptari to file his candidacy from Saptari-3. In the previous election, Yadav had contested from Saptari-2, where Janmat Party Chairman Dr. CK Raut was elected.
Most top leaders of major political parties have already reached their constituencies, while some are still en route. A few leaders are also preparing to file their candidacies through proxy representation, party sources said.
