Setback for Oli as rival faction wins in Biratnagar

KATHMANDU: The establishment faction of the CPN-UML has suffered another setback, as the entire panel from the rival group secured victory in the election for the party’s Biratnagar Municipal Committee.

According to the final results announced early Friday morning, Balram Giri (Naveen) was elected as the new chairperson of the committee. He defeated his closest rival, Rohit Koirala, by a margin of 52 votes. Giri received 173 votes while Koirala garnered 121.

Giri is aligned with the Binod Dhakal group, whereas Koirala is considered close to UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli.

This victory follows the defeat of the UML establishment faction in the Morang District Committee elections, after which Dhakal emerged as a key leader of the rival faction.

Dhakal, who is said to be close to former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, had earlier lost to Ghanshyam Khatiwada—who has the backing of Oli—in the UML’s Koshi Province Committee election. UML’s anti-establishment factions have made significant inroads in Koshi Province as former President Bhandari mulls her return to party politics.

Subash Prasad Neupane (Suraj) was elected vice-chairperson with 145 votes, defeating Ram Pokharel who received 136 votes. Bigyan Sharma Chapagain was elected Secretary with 183 votes, ahead of his opponent Navaraj Kafle, who got 104 votes. Hamid Azad secured the position of Deputy Secretary with 178 votes, defeating Chandra Shekhar Bishwas, who received 98 votes. Hima Mainali Pokharel won the position of Women Deputy Secretary with 169 votes, beating her contender Premkala Dangi (Kala), who got 111 votes.