KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr. Shashank Koirala has remarked that NC should compete alone in the coming election.

Speaking at a program organized by Nepal Student Union Ilam-Kathmandu Liasion Committee in Kathmandu on Saturday, Dr. Koirala stressed on the need to compete alone to truly test the people’s evaluation of the NC’s  contribution for the country and the people.

However, he defended Prime Minister and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s stress on taking the coalition ahead saying such move could prevent the communists from getting united.

“NC President Deuba’s focus on taking the coalition is also worth considering as NC’s leading the coalition can prevent the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center from forming a leftist alliance in the country,” Dr. Koirala said.

He expressed concern over the increasing election expenses and recalled that his election expense in last election had been around Rs 60 million.

Dr. Koirala remarked that the election was turning too expensive and demanded on taking measures to minimize the election expenses.

“The election is likely to be more expensive in coming days and this time it can exceed 60-70 million rupees,” he said, adding, “I am ready to leave the constituency I contested before provided anyone else shows interest to contest from there.”