The CPN-UML recently unveiled its candidates for the forthcoming by-elections in the Ilam-2 federal constituency and the Bajhang (A) seat in the Sudur Paschim Provincial Assembly. Suhang Nembang has been nominated as the UML candidate for the House of Representatives seat from Ilam, while Dan Bahadur Bhandari will represent the party in Bajhang.
Similarly, the Bajhang (A) seat became vacant following the tragic death of Prithvi Bahadur Singh, a provincial assembly member from the Congress party, in a road accident. Singh had emerged victorious in the election but unfortunately met with the accident. The Congress party is yet to finalize its candidates for the upcoming bypolls.
Asserting their strong grassroots support, UML leaders are urging other ruling parties to endorse their candidates in both constituencies. The possibility of fielding common candidates among ruling parties, excluding the Rastriya Swatantra Party, is being explored.
The vacancy in the Ilam-2 House of Representatives seat resulted from the passing of former Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang last year, who had held the seat since 1999. In the previous election, Nembang narrowly defeated Dambar Bahadur Khadka of the Nepali Congress.
The CPN (Maoist Centre) has expressed its intent to participate in the Ilam by-election but has yet to finalize its candidates. Despite initial plans for separate candidacies, negotiations are ongoing between the CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre to potentially field common candidates. Both parties remain hopeful of reaching a consensus before the nomination deadline.
In response, the CPN (Unified Socialist) nominated Jit Bahadur Rai for Ilam and Dil Bahadur Singh for Bajhang. Additionally, the Rastriya Swatantra Party selected Milan Limbu as its candidate for the Ilam constituency.
As the nomination deadline approaches, both the UML and the Maoist Centre remain optimistic about reaching an agreement. Negotiations continue as parties strategize for the upcoming by-elections in Ilam and Bajhang, reflecting the dynamic political landscape in these constituencies.
