NC discusses strategy for Rupandehi-3 by-election

KATHMANDU: The ruling Nepali Congress has held internal discussions regarding the upcoming by-election in Rupandehi-3.

A meeting was convened on Friday at party president Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha, where party office-bearers, former office-bearers, and ministers representing the party participated.

According to Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire, the meeting focused on the party’s strategy and planning for the upcoming by-election scheduled for Kartik 17.

However, no discussions were held about ministerial reshuffles.

The by-election was necessitated by the passing of Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s Deepak Bohara, who was elected from Rupandehi-3 in the last election.

Although the meeting did not decide on a candidate, the party analyzed past voting patterns.

In the 2079 proportional representation votes, Nepali Congress led with 20,000 votes, followed by CPN-UML with 16,000, and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) with 14,000.

Madhehs-based parties ranked next.

Ghimire noted that the party is evaluating different coalition possibilities for the by-election, as previous elections were contested under varying alliances.

He added that while they technically lost in the last election, Nepali Congress remains the strongest party in the region based on voter support.

“There are talks that UML, RSP, and Madhes-based parties might unite, but we are confident in our base. Congress remains the leading force both in past general and local elections,” he stated.