Himal Press 
Mayanath Adhikari (left) and Navaraj Sharma after filing their nominations. Photo: Himal Press
POKHARA: Navaraj Sharma and Mayanath Adhikari have registered their candidacies for the position of Chairman in the Gandaki Provincial Committee of CPN-UML.
The committee will select its new leadership through voting as the efforts to select new leadership on a consensus basis over the past three days failed.
Sharma, who hails from Myagdi, is the incumbent chairman of the provincial committee. Meanwhile, Adhikari, who is from Lamjung, is the central committee member of CPN-UML. Both candidates are fielding their respective panels in this election.
Party insiders say that Sharma enjoys the support of former Gandaki chief minister and Deputy General Secretary Prithvi Subba Gurung. On the other hand, Adhikari is believed to have garnered backing from General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Secretary Padma Aryal, and Standing Committee Member Khagaraj Adhikari, among others.
Talking to Himal Press, Adhikari said the election process to select new leadership should be regarded as a natural process. “I have filed my candidacy to strengthen the party’s structure by unifying all leaders and cadres,” he added.
The committee will select its new leadership through voting as the efforts to select new leadership on a consensus basis over the past three days failed.
Baburam BK from Nawalpur, Rashmi Acharya from Kaski, Santosh Rawal from Myagdi and Mina Gurung from Kaski are contesting for the post of Vice Chairman, Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Deputy Secretary (Women), respect lively from Adhikari’s panel.
Similarly, another chairman aspirant, Sharma, said there still was time for consensus. “Although nominations have been submitted, we remain open to reaching a consensus. If that doesn’t materialize, we will proceed with the voting process in a dignified manner,” he added.
Sharma’s panel includes Min Prasad Gurung from Syangja for Vice Chairman, Dhananjaya Dawadi from Lamjung for Secretary, Dam Bahadur BK from Kaski for Deputy Secretary, and Manju Adhikari from Parbat for Deputy Secretary (Women).
The 1st General Convention of the Gandaki Provincial Committee will elect a 162-member executive committee. A total of 908 representatives from 11 districts are participating in the general convention.
