Maoists bag 10 declared seats; lead in 61 constituencies
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu, 12 April: Maoists have bagged 10 of 20 officially declared seats and is leading in 61 constituencies.
The party is contesting elections for the first time after declaring a people’s war 12 years ago; direct elections are being held for 240 seats for the constituent assembly .CPN-UML has won four seats so far—two in Palpa, one each in Mustang and Pokhara.
Nepali Congress has won four seats from Kathmandu.
Chairman Narayanman Bijukakchaya of Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party and the party’s Sunil Prajapati have been elected retaining the party’s traditional hold on the medieval town.
CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal was defeated by Maoist Jhakku Subedi; Nepal is contesting from his traditional constituency in Rautahat hit by a regional sentiment; the partyhas won four seats so far.
The regional sentiment could hit Nepal there as well.
The election has wiped out the top CPM-UML leadership. Politburo members Bamdeb Gatam, Pradip Nepal, Ishwar Pokhrel and Bharat Mohan Adhikari have either been defeated or are facing imminent defeat.
Bidya Bhandari, widow of Madan Bhandari, said she was defeated without an electoral adjustment with Maoists.
Bamdeb Gautam blamed the leadership for the party’s debacle demanding its resignation ahead of a general convention.
Bijukakchaya, after his and the party’s victory, called for an understanding and added,” The constitution is still the basis to move ahead.”
If they officially emerge as the largest party or even gain a majoirty,Maoists will stake a claim to lead the successor government of Girija Prasad Koirala facing a personal humiliation.
Daughter Sujata and cousin Sushil Koirala are facing defeat.
Nephew and confidante Dr Shekhar Koirala is trailing defector Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar of Madesh Janaadhikar Forum in a Morang where in another constituency relative Amod Upadhaya is leading.
Controversial Home Minister Krishna Prasad Shitaula is leading in a Jhapa constituency.
A Maoist candidate defeated Rashtriya Janasakti Party Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa in Dhankuta.
Congress and CPN UNL are heading for ‘defeat’ at the hand of Maoists although this is not parliamentary elections.
RPP-Nepal led by Chairman Kamal Thapa gained fourth position after the three leading parties in Kathmandu-1 in indirect elections.
Chairman Prachanda leads in Kathmandu-10.
Congress is leading in vote counting in 24 constituencies, CPN-UML in 18 and Forum in seven.
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French lawmaker and election observer participates in anti-China activities

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 12 April: The Chinese embassy said it was ‘concerned’ with Free Tibet activities of French lawmakers who were observing elections.
“It is good that the French observers came to observe the CA poll held in Nepal. However, they took advantage of the opportunity to meet the separatists [ Dalai Lama’s leadership in Nepal] and supported “Tibet Independence’ publicity.
“The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that,” Chinese ambassador Zheng Xianglin told his French counterpart in a letter.
The embassy said French lawmakers presented “Snow Lion Flag” symbolizing independence and made ‘separatist’ remarks, an official announcement said.
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