BIRGUNJ, August 26: Ahead of the third round of local elections, leaders of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) have been divided into two factions and clashes have ensued among themselves over the selection of mayoral candidates.
Clash erupted two days after the party formally decided to take part in the final phase of local elections in eight districts of Province 2.
The election is scheduled for September 18 and the parties contesting the election should finalize their candidates beforehand.
General secretaries of the party, Bimal Srivastav and Rajesh Man Singh, clashed with each other in front of the party cadres during a meeting held to discuss about the probable candidates of Birgunj Metropolitan City and other local units.
Both Srivastav and Singh are hopeful of getting candidacy to run for the post of mayor.
The clash started after the arrival of Srivastav's supporters at the meeting prompted jeering from the opposing faction. One participant said that there were a few scuffles as well as some pushing and shoving from both groups which led to the clash.
Various leaders of RJPN admit that there is internal polarization within the party. Another participant of the discussion said that the discussion was postponed.
Another RJPN General Secretary Shiva Patel said, “This meeting took place to decide candidacies of Birgunj metropolis, Pokhariya Municipality and other 11 rural municipalities from among the party's district leaders, central leaders and its sister wings but the conflict between the two factions has halted the process.”
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