DHARAN: A dispute over the upcoming mayoral candidacy for Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City has triggered internal tensions within the Shram Sanskriti Party led by Harka Sampang.
Following growing disagreement within the party, five leaders, including central committee member Purna Gahatraj Bishwakarma, collectively resigned, after which party chair Sampang expelled them on Wednesday afternoon.
Sampang announced through social media that central member Gahatraj and provincial member Rashi Mehwahang have been removed from the party. Earlier, the group had issued a statement declaring their resignation.
Those who resigned include provincial members Bishnu Kumari Rai, Nina Chandra Rai, Narhari Rai, and Atal Singh Rai.
The dissenting group has accused Sampang of breaking promises made during their entry into the party, claiming they were assured mayoral candidacy for Dharan but were later sidelined in favor of another candidate.
According to the group, an understanding regarding the mayoral ticket was reached on April 28 when they joined the party. However, they said dissatisfaction grew after Dhann Bahadur Rai was announced as the party’s mayoral candidate.
They alleged betrayal and said they decided to quit the party after being deceived.
Meanwhile, Gahatraj posted an emotional message on social media suggesting a breakdown in his relationship with Sampang, describing their ties as “like two banks of a river,” indicating that further cooperation was no longer possible.
Dhann Bahadur Rai, who has been nominated as the party’s mayoral candidate, was previously elected ward chair of Ward No. 4 in Dharan in the 2022 local elections from CPN-UML. He later resigned from the post and joined the Shrama Sanskriti Party.
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