RSP had been courting Dr Wagle prior to Nov 20 polls

KATHMANDU: Economist Dr Swarnim Wagle announced on Thursday that he has parted ways with Nepali Congress.

A senior leader of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) told Himal Press that Wagle has already applied for the general membership of the party. Although nothing has been decided yet, Wagle is expected to contest the by-election in the Tanahun-1 constituency as the candidate of RSP.

Although Wagle joined RSP on Thursday, the party had been courting him before the election for the House of Representatives held in November last year. RSP had proposed to contest election as its candidate. Although Wagle was initially positive toward the proposal, he decided to continue with the NC as he was hopeful that the party will field him as its candidate in the Chitwan-1 constituency. But the NC picked economist Bishwa Poudel.

“Our preparation was to field him as our candidate in the November 20 polls. Talks were heading in the positive direction,” the RSP leader said. “But he decided against joining RSP at the last moment.”

Despite this, RSP was continuing talks with Wagle. Talks intensified after the ruling coalition decided to make NC’s senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel as the common candidate for the post of President. Poudel election’s to the post vacated his Tanahun-1 seat.

“After the Tanahun-1 seat remained vacant, we intensified talks with Dr Wagle. We were clear that we will need strong candidates to make the party strong,” the RSP leader said. “As both Dr Wagel and RSP have similar ambitions, he finally agreed to join our party.”

According to the RSP leader, his party will request other parties for cooperation to elect Dr Wagle from Tanahun-1.

The Election Commission is holding by-election in Tanahun-1, Chitwan-2 and Barai-2 constituencies on April 23.