CHITWAN: Both mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates from ruling alliance have been elected in Bharatpur Metropolis. Renu Dahal from CPN (Maoist Centre) secured victory of Mayor with wide margin of 12,449 votes.
Dahal collected 52,030 votes while her nearest rival from CPN UML Bijay Subedi got 39,581 votes. Similarly, Nepali Congress’ candidate Chintra Sen Adhikari became Deputy Mayor.
However, the Office of Chief Returning Officer is marking preparation to announce the victory formally.
The independent candidate for mayoral post Jagannath Poudel got 14,728 votes, thereby losing the post to Dahal.
It is the second time Dahal got elected as Mayor in Bharatpur Metropolis.
Dahal, born at Bharatpur Metropolis-23 on Ashar 23, 2033BS, is the daughter of Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre).
Dahal was also the Constituent Assembly member from 2064 to 2069BS. Currently, General Secretary of All Nepal Women Association (Revolutionary), Dahal had also worked as Joint-In-Charge of then Maoist party in Rolpa from 2061 to 2061BS.
She has worked in various other capacities in the party.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Adhikari defeated UML candidate Himala Gurung by wide margin of 22,191 votes. Gurung was RPP candidate for the deputy mayoral post. Adhikari collected 52,803 votes.
Adhikari is the Bharatpur Metropolis Committee President of Nepali Congress. Born in 2024BS, Adhikari had begun his political career since student age. He was elected Chair at ward no 21 in the last local level election from Nepali Congress.
A total of 127,839 votes were cast in the metropolis. Among 29 wards, NC garnered victory at ward no 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 27 and 29 while UML won in 3, 11, 12, 18, 19 and 28; Maoist Centre in 13, 24, 26; CPN (Unified Socialist) in 7, 9 and 22. An independent candidate won in ward no 25.
I will work understanding the people’s psychology: Bharatpur Mayor Dahal
Newly elected mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Renu Dahal, has said that she would carry out activities understanding the psychology of the people. She was also elected as the mayor of Bharatpur Metropolis in 2017. Saying this is her last tenure in local-level, Dahal shared that she would focus on completing the incomplete activities of the metropolis.
She opined, “It is very exhilarating to win in this metropolitan city. I will work understanding the sentiments of the people. Local-level government is not the place for politics. It is for carrying out development activities. I will involve towards it. ” Dahal further said that the five-party alliance would exist for long as it has been formed for peace and progress. She reiterated that she would carry out activities for next five years as per the commitment made before the election.
The newly elected mayor mentioned, “I will pay special attention to complete the remaining plans and projects of the metropolitan city within this tenure.” Stating that unemployment has become a big problem in Bharatpur, she shared that she would pay special attention to resolve the problem.
Dahal expressed happiness over the Bharatpur people approving of her works and said that emphasis would be given on education, health, infrastructure development and garbage and sewerage management. “Although there was challenge in the alliance, I won the election due to the honesty of alliance member parties. Now, we will move ahead to fulfill the responsibility given by the voters,” she opined.
Rajesh Man Singh win in Birgunj Metropolis
Both mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates from the ruling alliance have won in Birgunj Metropolis.
Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) leader Rajesh Man Singh became Mayor by collecting 46,215 votes while his nearest rival from CPN UML Bijay Sarabagi got 23,671 votes.
Birgunj is only metropolis in Madhes Province. Singh won the election by wide margin of 22,544 votes.
Similarly, Nepali Congress candidate Imtiyaj Alam has been elected Deputy Mayor by collecting 25,158 votes. His nearest rival Purushottam Jha from Loktantrik Samajbadi Party got only 6,719 votes.
The Office of the Chief Returning Officer is making preparation for the formal announcement.
The ruling coalition had formed the electoral alliance where there are Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist) and Janata Samajbadi Party. Similarly, UML and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party had formed the electoral alliance by fielding Sarabagi as mayoral candidate. Sarabagi is the immediate past mayor of Birgunj Metropolis.
