KATHMANDU: CPN-UML has intensified its election campaign in Jhapa constituency No. 5 amid an emerging challenge from former Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah.
The party has stepped up grassroots mobilization through neighborhood-level meetings, mass gatherings and the activation of election coordination committees. Alongside these efforts, UML has simultaneously moved ahead with the formation of various sub-committees to strengthen its organizational presence.
Central, provincial and local leaders are actively engaging in direct dialogue with voters, visiting households to brief them on the party’s past achievements and future plans. UML has also expanded outreach programs targeting youth, women and farmers to consolidate voter support.
As part of the campaign, multiple committees, including the election coordination committee, have been formed in Ward No. 6 of Kamal Rural Municipality.
A gathering held at Khayarwari on Thursday formed an election coordination committee led by party leader Mohini Khanal as convener and Neelkantha Niraula as co- convener. Ward Committee Chairperson Yubaraj Pathak has been appointed as the committee’s secretary.
According to UML district committee member and ward in-charge Deepak Khadka, additional mobilization committees have been constituted: a youth committee under Devendra Parajuli, a women’s committee under Sujita Guragain, a senior citizens’ committee chaired by Tank Sapkota, and an intellectuals’ mobilization committee led by Khomanath Niraula.
Kamal Rural Municipality Committee Chair Hari Dhakal said that the formation of tole- and ward-level committees is underway across the municipality to further strengthen the campaign.
The expanded ward-level gathering in Khayarbari was attended by Province Committee member Benu Prasad Shiwakoti as the chief guest. Addressing the event, speakers including Mani Bhandari and district vice president Shiva Dhungel said the upcoming election would draw a clear line between nationalist forces and those they described as opposing national interests.
UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has won from this constituency in previous elections. However, the entry of Balendra Shah into the race has added a new dynamic to the contest, prompting UML to further intensify its organizational and voter outreach efforts ahead of the March 5 election.
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