CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai has called for party unity urging the leadership to resolve remaining candidacy disputes after he was denied a ticket to contest the March 5 general election from his constituency.
In a video message shared on social media, Bhattarai said he had respectfully advised party Chair KP Sharma Oli to address unresolved candidate issues and to consider his willingness to contest from Taplejung. However, he said that even if the decision does not go in his favour, he would not create any trouble inside the party.
“I will instead be present in my home district during the nomination process and will work for the victory of whichever candidate the party fields under the UML’s sun symbol,” announce Bhattarai.
A day earlier, Bhattarai had formally registered a note of dissent over the party’s ticket distribution as the UML finalised candidates for 140 constituencies. In the video message, Bhattarai described the upcoming election as a question of “life-and-death” for Nepal’s democratic movement and urged party cadres, supporters and well-wishers to unite under the UML’s election symbol.
Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament Yagya Jit Shah, son of former Prime Minister Dr K.I. Singh, has quit the CPN-UML after it became certain that the party would not allot a ticket to him in the election.
Shah submitted his written resignation to party chair KP Sharma Oli. Stating that the party is dominated by opportunists, Shah said there was no justification for him to remain in the UML. He mentioned in his resignation letter that he had not been given any opportunity within the party.
Shah had joined the UML nine years ago after meeting KP Oli.
