KATHMANDU: The ruling CPN-UML has decided to field Ram Bahadur Thapa “Badal” as its candidate in the upcoming National Assembly by-election to be held on May 20.

Thapa, who had joined the UML party after the dissolution of the Nepal Communist Party, was ousted by the CPN (Maoist Center).

A meeting of the General Convention Organizing Committee held at Baluwatar Friday decided to field Badal as the candidate in the by-election to the National Assembly, a party source said.

Badal was elected to the NA from Bagmati Pradesh on behalf of the Maoist Center.