BUTWAL, OCT 30 - UCPN (Maoist) leader Baburam Bhattarai has claimed that only the development of Lumbini area as world peace center would put Nepal on the road to prosperity.

He further added that Lumbini is the only means for Nepal to compete with the neighbouring countries in terms of development in the 21st century.

Speaking at an election rally organised in Butwal on Wednesday, the former prime minister remarked that the country would take a giant leap forward if only one percent of the total Buddhist population in the world could be brought annually by developing Lumbini into a religious center of Buddhists.

Bhattarai attributed the failure to prioritise development and prosperity above politics for the problems facing the nation. He claimed that the parties from now on would make development and prosperity as their common agenda above politics.

HETAUDA, OCT 30 -
UCPN-Maoist leader and candidate of the Makawanpur Constituency-2, Narayan Kaji Shrestha , has said that new constitution would be promulgated through the second Constituency Assembly elections. He added the relevance of the political parties would be ended if the constitution was not promulgated from the second CA.

Speaking at a news conference organised in Hetauda on Wednesday, Shrestha said that promulgation of the new constitution has been guaranteed this time, saying the country would be pushed to neo- colonialism if the constitution was not promulgated.

Stating that political parties are found buying votes in course of election publicity and it was dishonesty to people, he said people should have the right to use the vote of conscience.

Shrestha said that politics is a medium of serving the people and establishing rights of the people. He said he has not taken donations from any one and has no policy for asking for donations.

Shrestha said that the CPN-Maoist has the right to boycott the election but has no rights to carry out violent activities. RSS

GORKHA, OCT 30 -
UCPN (Maoist) cadres pelted stones at the vehicle of Nepali Congress central member and promotion department chief Minendra Rijal in Gorkha district on Wednesday.

Rijal was attacked at Teenmane Bhanjyang on the way to address mass assembly at Gorkha constituency-1 in Batase.

Police even fired gunshots in the air to take the situation under control.

Rijal was accompanied by party central member Surendra Pandey and central office general secretary Chin Kaji Shrestha.

KATHMANDU, OCT 30 -
CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal has said the form of governance system with directly elected executive president may give a birth to a dictator in the country.

Addressing a corner meeting at Koteshwor-35 in course of an election door-to-door programme on Wednesday, leader Nepal argued the form of governance system with directly elected Prime Minister and the  president representing diversity of Nepal would be better for the balance of power.

The model of federalism proposed by the UCPN (Maoist) will split the nation by motivating the people to fight each others, he said, adding that multiple identity-based   federalism that included all the indigenous nationalities, Madhesis, minorities, marginalised, suppressed and backward classes is the current need of the country.

The former Prime Minister further claimed crisis in the country would further deepen and nation will suffer calamities if the UCPN (Maoist) which is already failed to lead the country, became the largest party again by the November 19 Constituent Assembly (CA) election .

Nepal said that the UCPN (Maoist) misappropriated million of rupees from the sate coffer in the name of cantonments and combatants and now intends at splitting the nation in the name of ethnic federalism.  He announced 50 per cent women's participation in the local bodies, guarantee of social security and increment of single women, elder citizens and disabled allowance if the party wins the election . RSS

BIRATNAGAR, OCT 30 -
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal (RPP-N) Chairman Kamal Thapa has said the last Constituent Assembly could not draft a constitution due to the rigid stances of the big four parties.

At a corner meeting organised in Biratnagar during the national unity tour of the party on Wednesday, Thapa said the religions of the multilingual people here have been in crisis due to the declaration of the Nepal as a secular state.

He said the next election is the last opportunity to establish a Hindu state and constitutional monarchy and urged all to vote for his party for this purpose.

Thapa accused that foreign interference had increased in the country as large parties displaced monarchy, and expressed the confidence that the people will vote in the RPP-N's campaign of constitution building that can incorporate from king to Maoists. RSS

CHADRANIGAHPUR, OCT 30 -
Analysts say the regional parties have weakened as Madhes Movement gradually fades from public memory
The Madhesi parties who had achieved an overwhelming victory in the first Constituent Assembly election from mid-Tarai have a tough battle ahead as the “influence” of Madhes movement has “faded” over the past half decade.

Three Madhesi parties who had won in around 60 percent constituencies—25 out of 48—in the eight districts of mid-Tarai—an epicentre of the Madhes Movement—will struggle to retain their position as the people are seriously weighing the parties this time around. “It was a whimsical vote last time as the Madhes Movement had a great influence then,” said Binod Gupta, a lecturer and political analyst from Birgunj. “Madhesi people will evaluate candidates before casting their vote this time.”

In the 2008 polls, apart from garnering victory in a majority of seats, the Madhes-based parties had top three positions in four constituencies, were nearest rivals in six and gained top two positions in five constituencies.

Election candidates have been facing scores of questions from their constituencies as to what they did for the welfare of the people after being elected. Sanghiya Sadbhawana Party Chairman and former minister Anil Kumar Jha accepts that the impact of the Madhes Movement has faded with time and leaders are not going to get votes just because they belong to a Madhesi party.

“Voters are studying the background of candidates and what they had done for them,” he said, adding that the personality and commitment of candidates would count more than their party.

Locals care more about development activities than political agenda such as federalism or autonomy. “We vote for those who have a strong development roadmap,” said Ram Charitra Sah from Pipra Rajbada in Rautahat.

According to political analyst Chandrakishore, three Cs—caste, caste division and crime—will equally influence the vote along with the commitment and background of a candidate. “Definitely, it’s not easy for Madhesi parties this time. However, they still have a significant hold on the people,” he said. Having travelled well across the Tarai, he thinks national parties will benefit from the fragmentation in the regional parties.

Three major Madhes-based parties—Sadbhawana Party, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party—that contested the earlier polls have split to 13 factions now.

Many candidates agree with Chandrakishore that election campaigns have been costlier. They believe that one may not win unless they pour a large amount of money. “It takes a minimum of Rs 3 million which can increase depending on the strategy of the rival candidate,” said a candidate for Rautahat-4.

With 22 days remaining for the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, political parties are giving special attention to securing more votes in the Madhes. Political analyst and associate professor of political science at the Tribhuvan University Vijay Kant Karna, spoke to Pranab Kharel and Darshan Karki about election dynamics in the Madhes, the failure to address Madhesi issues and poll prospects.

How are election preparations going on in the Madhes?

All Madhesi parties are busy preparing for elections. None of the parties from the Madhes have gone against elections, apart from a few armed groups. This is a good thing for democracy as an institution. But the agendas raised during the Madhes Movement have been lost. I see two reasons for this. The first is the division in the parties that came into power after the Movement and the second is that the relationship Kathmandu tried to establish with the Madhes was focused more on a power balance rather than the agendas raised.

Are those issues (inclusion, identity, language recognition, access to state resources) raised by the Madhes Movement now an agenda of non-Madhesi parties too?

The sad thing on part of national level parties is that they do not raise issues of the people. Due to this, Janajatis, Madhesis, women and Dalits have all had to launch movements of their own.

Does this mean no progress has been made in addressing the issues of inclusion and federalism?


Efforts to address these issues have not been sincere. The bill of inclusion was presented at the CA twice but it was not allowed to pass. Only cosmetic changes like reservations in the bureaucracy were made. Now, Madhesi parties and the UCPN (Maoist) have raised those issues again in their election manifestos. But how do we develop a mechanism for issues on which parties differ? It is clear that the efforts of the Madhesis and the UCPN (Maoist) alone are insufficient. A two-third majority for them is not possible at the moment either. The issues should have been discussed within the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML too. So I am worried whether the new CA will be able to address these issues.

What do you think is the reason behind the absence of dialogue on these issues among parties?


Opposing parties think that they own what is being demanded. I remember an incident during the Madhes Movement. Some parliamentarians from the NC, UML and Madhesi parties had gone to meet Girija Prasad Koirala.  The NC leader told the rest, “I have already given so much. How much more should I give?” One person present there asked, “Is this an issue of you handing us something and us accepting it? Are we representatives of a student union that have been granted an audience with the campus chief?” The current demands for inclusion and federalism are not something one person grants the other. They are about internalising the fact that the country belongs to all its citizens. The clique of businessmen, elites, the military and bureaucracy do not want to address these issues and instead want to keep this country in conflict forever.

What has the role of the major parties been in addressing Madhesi issues?

The NC, among others, must understand the cause of the Madhesis, as they have traditionally been its supporters. But the NC has failed to understand this. There has never been a relation between the UML and the Madhes; its leaders do not know the Madhes and vice-versa.

Speaking of the UCPN (Maoist), especially after 2002, the way it included the issues of Madhesis, Janajatis and Dalits in its strategies helped bring some awareness in the Madhes. It led the Madhesis to believe that they could fight for their rights too. Still, the UCPN (Maoist) failed to fully incorporate the demands of the Madhes and marginalised groups in the Interim Constitution.

On the part of the government, it only agreed to do certain things once it felt the heat of the Madhes Movement. But when it was time to implement those decisions, it refused to do so.

How did the NC falter in addressing the aforementioned agendas?

The NC had the huge responsibility of fulfilling the understanding reached between Girija Prasad Koirala and the Maoists after the war. However, after the formation of the 2008 CA, the NC backed away from that mission. The NC was confused about fulfilling its commitments to the peace process and going against it due to fear that doing so would wipe out the party. When election results did not turn out as expected, the NC perceived itself as the government and the Maoists as the opposition. But the 12-point agreement, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the Interim Constitution did not envision an opposition.  Those documents only aimed at completing the peace process and then transforming the country. So the NC abandoned its duty halfway.

What about the UCPN (Maoist)?

The UCPN (Maoist) came into mainstream politics through a revolution. Moreover, it is a communist party based on the ideology of Mao. No matter what is said, national and international powers did not accept the party and the Maoists faced problems from the very beginning. These powers will accept the UCPN (Maoist) only by killing its agenda and essence, or by turning Prachanda into Girija Prasad Koirala and Baburam Bhattarai into Madhav Kumar Nepal.

In that case, how will national parties fare in the elections in the Madhes? Will the fragmentation of Madhesi parties affect their voter base too?



The fragmentation of Madhesi parties, their non-delivery even while in power, in-fighting for positions were all seen by the people. People were hugely disappointed and still are. If the traditional powers had done any better, people would have been attracted to them.

There is a rise of two kinds of political forces in the Madhes. First, those who advocate for identity, inclusion, federalism and access to resources and instruments of the state. Second, those who say that we will accomplish things slowly through the old parliamentary system.The elections will be a competition between these two.

People will still vote for Madhesi parties. While I travelled to the Madhes about four months back, there was so much anger against them. When I visited those places (Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Kailali) again recently, they seem to have calmed down. They do not see a better option.

Will the Maoists be able to retain the Madhesi votes they secured in 2008?

The Madhesi parties and the UCPN (Maoist) will secure more votes than in the previous election. The UCPN (Maoist) has a stronghold among Dalits, Janajati and marginalised communities. But Madhesis will vote for Madhesis. There are many other factors like caste, personality etc. Madhesi parties are still political parties in the making. These parties were formed in 2007 and still have a lot to do: build leadership, socialise, form an ideology, build a structure. I think it will take 10-15 years more for them to evolve as institutions.

In the run-up to elections two major incidents took place in the Madhes: the tensions between Hindus and Muslims in Siraha and the murder of Mohammad Alam. Are these indicative of the security situation in the Madhes?


In Siraha, it was not the first time a person from one community teased a girl from another community. But there were attempts to trumpet this event into a Hindu-Muslim conflict. However, the local administration, political parties and the existent social fabric among communities managed it. In Mohammad Alam’s case, investigations are currently under way.

That aside, the categorisation of ‘sensitive districts’ is interesting. Twelve out of 16 districts categorised as ‘sensitive’ from a security perspective fall in the Madhes. As campaigning intensified right before and after Dashain, no violence has been observed in the Tarai. Security events were instead reported in Terhathum, Taplejung, Dadeldhura and Dang. So I doubt the ability of our security intelligence and government in analysing the security situation.

Does that mean there are no major security concerns in the region?

There are some armed groups with whom the government held talks, and signed agreements but did not follow through. So they are back. In case of others, the government has been unable to hold talks with them. These groups had released statements saying that they would not allow elections to take place some months back. Second, the CPN-Maoist is not taking part in the polls. These two groups could hamper peaceful and credible elections. Only when elections are peaceful, can they be free, fair and credible. 

KATHMANDU, OCT 30 -
Nepal wrapped up their friendly Twenty20 cricket series in Delhi on a high after beating Invitational XI team by six wickets at the Bharatnagar Academy ground on Tuesday.

The Nepali team won six of the seven matches they played in the last 10 days. On Tuesday, Nepal restricted Invitational XI side for a paltry 91-9. In reply, Nepal overcame the total in 19 overs for the loss of four wickets. Gyanendra Malla top-scored for Nepal with 33 while Pradeep Airee made 23 and skipper Paras Khadka chipped in 21 runs.

Shakti Gauchan was pick of the Nepali bowlers with figures of 3-9. Khadka also grabbed two wickets, while Amrit Bhattarai, Jitendra Mukhiya and Basant Regmi took one apiece.

KATHMANDU, OCT 30 -
Manifesto says President exercises executive powers and forms govt of technocrats, denying MPs ministerial posts
The Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party has proposed 14 states and dual citizenship—each for the central and state governments—in its election manifesto .

Unveiling its manifesto at a programme in the Capital on Tuesday, party Chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe presented his party’s proposal for directly-elected President who will be the head of state, the government and the Army.

The President would exercise executive authority and form a technocratic government, barring parliamentarians from becoming ministers. “In history, parliamentarians have been actively involved in making and breaking governments. We propose ministers from outside parliament so that lawmakers will be focused on legislature,” said Bijukchhe.

He said that the proposed system of governance would be “more democratic than the four parties’ tyrannical system prevailing in the country at present”.

The party has stressed carving out states following equal distribution of geographical and natural resources with each state having a part of mountains, hills and the Tarai.

The manifesto seeks compulsory free education for all the citizens up to higher secondary level, compulsory military training for individuals above 18 years of age, free health service for senior citizens, and allowance for unemployed people, among others. “For a society progressing towards socialism”, it has prescribed criteria such as nationalisation of factories, banks, natural resources, agricultural land and water resources, among other sectors and services that directly impact day-to-day life of citizens. The party is for “progressive land reform” and barring Nepalis from keeping property in foreign countries.

The party has stood for a bicameral parliament comprising the House of Nationalities as the upper house—which has three

members nominated from each state—and the lower House of Parliament with a five-year tenure.

The party has fielded 127 candidates in 50 districts in the first-past-the-post category and 99 proportional representation candidates. Women candidates constitute 37.16 percent.

GORKHA, OCT 30 -
Bhattarai considers home turf a safer district than tough Rupandehi
Senior UCPN (Maoist) leader Baburam Bhattarai is spending a lot more time and energy in Rupandehi-4, his new Tarai constituency, than here on his old home turf where Nepali Congress and CPN-UML leaders insist the new political openness will result in significant poll gains for them.

The idea behind Bhattarai’s emphasis on the Tarai is simple: he regards Gorkha, where he registered a landslide victory in 2008, a far safer district than Rupandehi, where he is pitted against UML heavyweight and former Cabinet minister, Bishnu Poudel.

On Tuesday, Bhattarai’s supporters were busy in their door-to-door campaign in Gorkha-1, in the absence of their leader. They maintained that the party has a good organisational structure in Gorkha district and they were not unduly worried about complaints of lukewarm campaign.

“It is true that we are strong in Gorkha-1 in comparison to Rupandehi-4,” said Yan Prasad Bhatta, in-charge of Bhattarai’s election campaign here, explaining the Maoist leader’s absence.

Like NC and UML candidates, Bhattarai has not been able to visit most villages, concentrating his campaign mostly in more accessible urban centres and areas closer to motorable roads. Gorkha-1 is spread over a municipality and 17 VDCs.

Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to visit the district on Friday, but there is an air of uncertainty over the scheduled mass rally. The rival CPN-Maoist has called a strike for the day to disrupt the rally in Prithvi Narayan Municipality.

Dahal’s visit to Gorkha is aimed at wooing the party’s district leaders and Dahal loyalists who are not “cooperating in the Bhattarai campaign.”

Residents of Gorkha would have liked their leader to find more time for their district. “The UCPN (Maoist) has a weak campaign in Gorkha compared to other major parties. Bhattarai has concluded that it’s going to be easy for him to secure a win in Gorkha but will be difficult in Rupandehi,” said Dilip Devkota, Campus Chief at Drabya Shah Bahumukhi Campus in Prithivi Municipality.

As most neighbouring constituencies, Gorkha-1 will see a three-pronged race between UCPN (Maoist), NC and UML.

Kiran Babu Shrestha of the NC is said to be particularly strong in the urban hub, the Prithvi Narayan Munici-pality, which has 14,000 voters. Bhattarai’s appeal is broader—with support in both rural and urban areas. Ram Saran Basnet of the UML is another strong contender there.

In their campaign, both NC and UML candidates are pointing out Bhattarai’s “fault lines” as a national leader. The most often repeated charge against him is how he “engineered the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly” as prime minister.

“Bhattarai is a tested man who failed to deliver when he was prime minister and finance minister,” said NC candidate Shrestha.

In 2008, the UML secured the third position in the district, but its district leaders now claim that with greater political space and openness, their position has significantly improved since 2008.

Though upbeat, NC and UML leaders said the election campaign has become tense in some constituencies in the district since Tuesday. They fear that the Maoists could renew their “intimidation and violence.”

“The Maoist party is setting up camps in some parts of the district and the party’s YCL is increasing its activities. This could create tension in the coming days,” Bisheswor Kattel, UML’s district leader said.

In the 2008 election , Bhattarai had secured 46,272 votes from Gorkha-2, while his rival Chandra Prasad Neupane of the NC secured 6,143 votes. Now, he has moved to Gorkha-1, where the NC’s position is relatively stronger than in other constituencies. Bhattarai’s close aide Biswadeep Pandey admitted the former prime minister has so far concentrated his campaign in the Tarai constituency, and that it was in keeping with the party’s policy to reach out to constituencies in the plains. “Rupandehi-4 is now a prestige issue for our party because the UML has a senior leader against Bhattarai there,” he said. Of the two constituencies that the party chairman has filed his nomination from, one is in Sarlahi in the Tarai.

In 2008, Poudel secured 15,880 votes and Bhakti Prasad Pandey of the UCPN (M) bagged 13,421 votes.

DOLAKHA/KAVRE, OCT 30 -
A bomb disposal team of Nepal Army defused a bomb planted at Charange along the Puspalal Marg in Dolakha on Wednesday. The bomb was planted to obstruct UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal's election campaign in the district.

Police recovered posters of CPN-Maoist urging the public to boycott the November polls from the scene. CPN-Maoist district secretary Prem Darnal, however, said that the party had only called for a peaceful strike in the district. "I am trying to know the fact about bomb rumours," he told to eKantipur.

The strike was called to disrupt Dahal's campaign in Dolakha. Local administration said that the UCPN (Maoist) chief will now fly into the district on a chopper.

Locals said that roads were obstructed in various places including Khawa of Jiri, Biruwa, Bhirkot and Sisneri by falling trees. Police had cleared the road since early this morning.

DHANKUTA, OCT 30 -
Vehicles belonging to Nepali Congress candidate from Dhankuta -2, Anand Santoshi, and CPN-UML candidate Shanta Chaudhary from Dang constituency-2 were torched by a group of unidentified persons on Tuesday night.

The land cruiser (Me 1 Ja 237) used for election campaign was torched while being parked in front of Santoshi's house at Dhankuta Municipality-7.

The unidentified men sprinkled petrol on the vehicle and set fire to it. Both the front  tyres have been damaged in the inferno.

Meanwhile, the land cruiser (Ra 1 Ja 365) of Chaudhary was also torched last night. The vehicle was torched while parking outside the house at Dandagaun in Laxmipur of Dang district.

Likewise, in Ghorahi, police intervened when a group tried to torch a vehicle of UCPN (Maoist) used for election campaign.

Meanwhile, police have been investigating the incident.

As the much-anticipated Constituent Assembly (CA) election nears, the rising anti-election activities have posed a serious challenge to security arrangements that are being made.

KATHMANDU, OCT 24 -
Nepali Congress is unveiling its manifesto for the upcoming Constituent Assembly on Thursday. NC's chief secretary Chin Kaji Shrestha informed that the manifesto will be made public amid a programme at party office at around 2 pm today.

A manifesto drafting committee formed under the coordination of party's Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel had finalised the content of the manifesto .

The party's official policy paper places emphasis on the parliamentary system of government, wherein the prime minister with executive powers will be elected through the parliament.

The president, unlike the UCPN (Maoist)’s model, would be the ceremonial head of state and elected through the House.

On federalism, the party is proposing two models—one with seven provinces and the other with 13 states based on financial capability and identity.

KATHMANDU, OCT 24 -
Dr. Chitra Prasad Wagle , who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Grande Hospital in Dhapasi after complaining of respiratory problems, passed away on Thursday afternoon.

Hospital sources said that Dr. Wagle died at around 12 this afternoon. He was suffering from appendix cancer and was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday where he was being treated for breathing problems.

Dr Wagle had returned to Nepal in August after spending 14 months in the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital in India. The cancer cells in Wagle's body had spread to his liver and there was a risk of them spreading to his chest.

The doctor from Rupandehi had been serving as the medical superintendent at Arghakhanchi District Hospital before he left for the New Delhi-based Cancer Hospital for treatment. The high cost of his treatment meant that he had to sell most of his property, including an X-ray machine and medical equipment in his possession, to arrange money for his treatment. The Nepal government had provided Rs 500,000 for his treatment, while the Nepal Medical Association had also extended financial support.

Nepali people from around the globe had also collected funds through campaigns on social networking sites to educate the three children of Dr Wagle.

He is credited for round-the-clock service, emergency blood management, and facilities related to child delivery and surgery at the district hospital.

WASHINGTON , OCT 24 -
Seeking to improve a rocky relationship, President Barack Obama and Pakistan i Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday pledged cooperation on the security issues that have strained ties between their nations. But the sources of the long-standing tensions did briefly bubble to the surface.

Speaking alongside Obama in the Oval Office, Sharif said he raised the issue of American drone strikes during their two-hour meeting, "emphasizing the need for an end to such strikes." For his part, Obama made no mention of drones, which have stoked widespread resentment in Pakistan where many believe the targeted strikes by the armed unmanned aircraft kill large numbers of civilians.

Despite the Pakistan i concerns, the U.S. has shown no indication it is willing to abandon the attacks, even though the number has dropped in the past couple of years. The Pakistan i government secretly supported the strikes in the past, and U.S. officials claim some key leaders still do.

The Washington Post, citing top-secret CIA documents and Pakistan i diplomatic memos it had obtained, reported that top officials in Pakistan 's government have endorsed the program for years, if secretly, and routinely received classified briefings on strikes and casualty counts.

In a story posted Wednesday on its website, the Post reported that markings on the documents indicate that many of them were prepared by the CIA's Counterterrorism Center specifically to be shared with Pakistan 's government. The documents, which detailed at least 65 strikes in Pakistan , are marked "top secret" but cleared for release to Pakistan , the newspaper reported.

Wednesday marked the first time Obama and Sharif have met since the Pakistan i leader took office in June. And the mere fact that the talks took place was seen as a sign of progress after a particularly sour period in relations between the security partners.

Obama acknowledged that there will always be some tension between the U.S. and Pakistan , but said he and Sharif agreed to build a relationship based on mutual respect.

"It's a challenge. It's not easy," he said. "We committed to working together and making sure that rather than this being a source of tension between our two countries, it can be a source of strength."

Tensions peaked in 2011 following the U.S. raid inside Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden and the accidental killing of two dozen Pakistan i troops in an American airstrike along the Afghan border that same year. But there have been recent signs of progress, with Pakistan reopening supply routes to Afghanistan that is closed in retaliation for the accidental killing of its troops. And ahead of Sharif's visit, the U.S. quietly decided to release more than $1.6 billion in military and economic aid to Pakistan that was suspended in 2011.

Washington has warmly welcomed Sharif, who arrived on Sunday for his first visit to the U.S. capital since taking office. He dined with Secretary of State John Kerry and other top U.S. officials and was hosted at a breakfast meeting Wednesday at Vice President Joe Biden's residence. Sharif's wife was also the guest of honor at a tea and poetry reception hosted by first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, the vice president's wife.

A military honor guard also lined the driveway leading to the West Wing of the White House as Sharif arrived for his meeting with Obama.

Beyond drones, the other hot-button issues on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting included plans for winding down the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and the longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan .

Both leaders agreed on the need for a stable and secure Afghanistan after combat missions formally conclude there at the end of next year. The U.S. and Afghanistan are negotiating an agreement to keep some American troops in Afghanistan after 2014, but one unresolved issue - which is a deal breaker for the U.S. - is whether American military courts maintain legal jurisdiction over the troops.

U.S. officials have said the White House is looking to keep fewer than 10,000 troops on the ground after 2014 for counterterrorism and training purposes. Some Pakistan i officials fear that a full American withdrawal could increase the flow of extremists across its border with Afghanistan.

Pakistan 's conflict with India over the disputed region of Kashmir was also a central topic of the talks. Hours before Obama and Sharif met, India accused Pakistan i troops of firing guns and mortars at at least 50 Indian border posts overnight in Kashmir. Indian troops returned fire, but one Indian guard was killed and six were injured by a shell fired at the Arnia post in the Jammu region, officials said.

Neither leader mentioned Wednesday's incident. But Obama praised Sharif for seeking to end tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

"Billions of dollars have been spent on an arms race in response to these tensions," Obama said. "Those resources could be much more properly invested in education, social welfare programs on both sides of the border between India and Pakistan ."

Sharif said he was committed to cooperation with India, including on Kashmir.

The Pakistan i leader also invited Obama to visit Pakistan , but the U.S. president did not publicly accept the offer. During his first term, Obama had told Pakistan i officials that he wanted to visit the country, but those plans were halted by the increased tensions that followed the bin Laden killing.

KATHMANDU, OCT 24 -
In its latest security assessment, the government has identified the 10-day nationwide general strike called by the CPN-Maoist as the major security challenge in the run-up to the November 19 polls. The strike supported by the 33-party poll-opposing alliance led by the CPN-Maoist is scheduled to start on November 11.

The government has taken the scheduled shutdown seriously and is taking measures to foil the strike and ensure normalcy during the period.

“We have been receiving reports from across the districts that the CPN-Maoist is conducting various kinds of training and orientation of its cadres to disrupt the election,” said a senior security official closely following the day-to-day security situation.

In recent weeks, the general strikes called by the CPN-Maoist has had little effect on the daily lives. Still, security officials maintain that in the final days before the polls the shutdown could emerge as a major “spoiler”. They have called for a coordinated approach to ensure normalcy.

Sources said the security agencies have charted out an “election-sensitive approach” to ensure normal movement of the people during the general strike, smooth delivery of supplies of essential commodities and building confidence in the general public that they need need not worry about the security situation and that polls will happen at any cost.

Security agencies said they have information that Baidya-led Maoist party has conducted training to party cadres. Some 50-60 cadres will be deployed in each district to ensure the general strike and aim at poll disruption.

Security agencies claim that the Baidya party is especially active in the Far West, in the Mid Western districts of Rukum and Rolpa and parts of Eastern Tarai, including Siraha.

“The Baidya group poses major security challenges for the polls,” said security analyst Geja Wagle on the phone from Biratnagar. He is currently travelling a dozen districts in the eastern Nepal to asses the security situation. “In Tarai, open border and accessibility of weapons has emerged as a major security threat,” he added.

According to the government officials, the poll-opposing parties are scheduled to stage sporadic disruption ahead of the general strikes as a rehearsal.

“They will use these rehearsals as a litmus test of their strength to assess if they can enforce the upcoming the general strike,” said a senior government official.

Besides the threat from the poll-opposing parties, the security officials are taking the increasing incidents of clashes among the poll contesting parties as another serious security challenge.

“As election date draws close, communal, caste based and regional tension could escalate,” said the official. Eastern hills, parts of Tarai and and the Mid West are considered “sensitive for caste, communal and regional tension.” Nine Eastern districts—Sankhuwasabha, Terhathum, Dhankuta, Tapl-ejung, Panchthar, Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa—with

significant ethnic populations are also seen as possible flashpoints.

 Clashes among sister wings of parties have escalated in recent days.

Equally, some armed outfits present in the Tarai region are also seen as a possible security threat. Of late, security agencies have concluded that temporary police (Myadi) could invite trouble around the poll date as well

as on the polling day. “Particularly in Tarai, open border and free flow of weapons are posing security threats and we are in touch with Indian officials to tighten the border,” said another security official.

The possibility of misuse of former Maoist combatants in disruption of polls is also seen as “an important security challenge”.

“Although the security deployment seem satisfactory as of now, as the election day draws closer, there could be newer security threats. The government should accordingly chart out its security strategy,” Wagle said.

Challenges facing CA polls

1 Proliferation of small arms

2 Poll disruption by fringe parties

3 Ethnic and communal tensions

4 Armed outfits’ activities

5 Inter-party clashes (youth and student wings)

6 Temporary police

7 Ex-combatants

8 Open border in Tarai

KATHMANDU, OCT 24 -
Nepali national team defeat the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) U-25 team by five wickets for the second successive win in the friendly Twenty20 series at the Roshanara Club Ground in Delhi on Wednesday.

Electing to field, Nepal restricted the home team for 123-6 and overcame the total in 19.4 overs for the loss of five wickets. Pradeep Airee (26) and Sagar Pun (19) consolidated the Nepali innings after losing their first wicket without scoring a run. The two batsmen put on 42 runs for the second wicket. Skipper Paras Khadka helped scores ticking with an invaluable 23 runs that included two sixes.

Binod Bhandari then blasted 36-runs off 14 balls to get Nepal back on track. Sharad Vesawkar hit a winning runs, a six of the only ball he faced to chase the target.

Earlier, Pun was pick of the Nepali bowlers with 2-14 including a prized wicket of Nipun Malhotra (25) for Nepal. Akarshit Gomil anchored DDCA the innings with 17-ball 24. Ankur Julka and Kuldeep Rawat scored 19 runs each to ensure DDCA cross the triple figures.

KATHMANDU, OCT 24 -
The upcoming Constituent Assembly election is likely to be a tough nut to crack for top leaders of the major parties as their rivals have geared up for a fight to the finish.  

Though many senior leaders have fielded their candidacy in a calculative way from two constituencies, they will have to toil hard to secure a victory, cross-party leaders said.

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal is contesting from his previous constituency Kathmandu-10 and Siraha-5. In 2008, Dahal won election with a big margin from Kathmandu-10 and Rolpa-2. This time around, party leaders say, Dahal will have his task cut out for him due to the party split and strong candidates being lined up by rival parties.  Dahal shifted to Siraha-5 from Rolpa-2 for multiple reasons.

After the party split, a majority of party leaders and cadres in Rolpa joined the CPN-Maoist, weakening the UCPN (Maoist) position there. “He feared losing from Rolpa-2 due to strong CPN-Maoist presence there and opted Siraha-5 instead,” said a leader close to Dahal, requesting anonymity.  

In 2008, Mahendra Paswan of the UCPN (Maoist) won the election securing 12,110 votes. Paswan, who had joined the CPN-Maoist at the time of the split, has since returned to the UCPN (Maoist).

Janamorcha Nepal, which had secured 5,666 votes in the same constituency, merged with the UCPN (Maoist) in 2009. While Siraha-5 is regarded a safe constituency for Dahal, party leaders expect a tough competition from the CPN-UML there. Intra-party dispute is another challenge facing Dahal, according to party insiders.

Former prime minister and senior leader of UCPN (Maoist) Baburam Bhattarai, who won from Gorkha-2 in the last CA election, will be trying to emulate the feat in Gorkha-1 and Rupandehi-4 this time around. Bhattarai will be up against UML’s Bishnu Prasad Poudel, who won Rupandehi-4 with 15,880 in 2008.

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sushil Koirala is again contesting from Banke-3, where he suffered a humiliating loss to Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Nepal’s Sarba Dev Ojha. Koirala secured 5,969 votes against Ojha’s 14,900. Koirala supporters are putting in a great deal of effort on the publicity campaign to avoid another defeat in the constituency.  

Koirala is also contesting from Chitwan-4. Though considered a relatively safer constituency, say party insiders, it will not be a walk in the park for the NC president as he is up against dissident leader Bikas Koirala, a popular local figure.

Sher Bahadur Deuba had secured narrow victories in both of his constituencies—Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur-4. In Dadeldhura, he won with 20,529 votes from UCPN (Maoist)’s Khag Raj Bhatta who bagged 19,161 votes. “My position has been strengthening and I am confident of a victory,” said Bhatta.

In Kanchanpur, Deuba secured 12,814 votes to beat Harish Thakulla of UCPN (Maoist) who had 11,795. This time around, Deuba has chosen Kailali-6 over Kanchanpur. Lila Kumar Bhandari of the UCPN (Maoist) won Kailali-6 in 2008 with 14,826 votes, beating NC’s Tek Bahadur Chokhal who had 11,284 votes.

CPN-UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, who managed a close victory from Ilam-1 in 2008, may also struggle to retain his seat there. Khanal had secured 17,655 votes to edge his rival from the NC, Benup Raj Prasain, who had 13,077. Challenging Khanal in the constituency are Congress’ Himalaya Karmacharya and Yubaraj Poudel of the UCPN (Maoist), both believed to enjoy strong following in the constituency.

Khanal is also contesting from Sarlahi-1 which is considered a UML bastion. In 2008 election, UML’s Prakesh Pakhrin won the constituency with 12,726 votes from his closest contender Lumadi Prasad Dhimal who secured 10,337. But it could very well be a different battle this time, especially after a number of UML leaders deserted the party to join the UCPN (Maoist).  Another prominent leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, who lost Kathmandu-2 to Jhakku Prasad Subedi of the UCPN (Maoist), is going for another crack from the same consistency. He will be up against Lila Mani Pokhrel of the UCPN (Maoist) this time.

Having also lost in Rautahat-6, Nepal has chosen Rautahat-1 and his second battle ground. But he is expected to face a tough fight from Sanghiya Sadbhawana’s Anil Kumar Jha, who enjoys a strong support in the area.

In CA 2008

PK Dahal  Ktm-10 23,277 won; Rolpa-2 34,220 won

JN Khanal Ilam-1 17,655 won

BR Bhattarai Gorkha-2 46,272 won

S Koirala Banke-3 5,969 lost

MK Nepal Rautahat-6 8,986 lost; KTM-2    12,325    lost

KATHMANDU, OCT 24 -
In a shift of focus, the UCPN (Maoist) has turned its attention to the Madhes, where the party’s 51 percent population reside. In the first Constituent Assembly election, it had focussed on mid- and far-western districts, the heartland of 10-year-long insurgency.

Besides Kathmandu-10, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had fought from Rolpa-2 in the 2008 CA polls to give an impression that the party gives top priority to the insurgency’s heartland.

However, Dahal along with other top leaders this time have chosen the Madhes.

The party’s official position was to field top leaders from the Madhes. Dahal is in the fray from Siraha and Kathmandu, while another leader Baburam Bhat tarai is from Rupandehi and Gorkha.

Leaders from mid- and far-western districts say the party abandoned the grassroots revolution and overall development of the region. Influential UCPN (Maoist) leader Barsha Man Pun, who hails from Rolpa, had fought from Lalitpur in 2008 and is contesting from Morang-7 now.

Leaders also say by shifting focus to the Madhes the party has not forgotten its base and the development of this area. The party failed to garner majority votes in 2008 due to less focus on Madhes constituencies. “We can bring development projects to our base area if we get majority votes and form a government,” said Khaga Raj Bhatta, UCPN (Maoist) Central Committee member who represents the Far West.

Bhatta is contesting against Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba from Dadeldhura. But he admitted that the party gave less attention to the development of its base area when it was in the government.

To give an impression that the party has not abandoned its base areas, Dahal started his election campaign from far-western districts. On Saturday and Sunday, he addressed mass meetings in Doti and Daledhura, where he tried to convince that the party has given top priority to this area.

“We have not abandoned our base area, but we have focused on the Madhes with a view that the country can not go ahead without balancing Hill and Madhes constituencies,” senior leader Baburam Bhat tarai said on Saturday to a group of journalists. During the insurgency, many households in the mid-western district provided shelter to Maoist fighters and leaders. Insiders say after the party split, most of the committed leaders and cadres joined the radical faction CPN-Maoist.

“In some mid- and far-western districts, the party position has become weak so top leaders chose the Madhes,” said a leader on condition of anonymity. “If the party was serious about its base area, Prachanda should have given his candidacy from the Madhes and the Far West, not from Katmandu. The same case applies to Baburam Bhat tarai .”

KATHMANDU, OCT 23 - The government on Wednesday reviewed its preparations for the upcoming election of the Constituent Assembly scheduled for November 19.

A meeting of the cabinet ministers and government secretaries chaired by Interim Election Government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu today reviewed the preparations so far made by the government and the Election Commission for the slated election.

Matters relating to immediate management of employees for the election purpose, proper mobilisation of resources and further measures to be taken by security bodies for additional security arrangement were discussed during the meeting.

Ministers and the concerned secretaries apprised the meeting about the election-centered activities carried out by the respective ministries.

The meeting realised the need of repairing damaged roadways in some districts in view of the election, putting the telephone repeater tower in good condition and maintaining regular power supply, said government spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communications Madhav Prasad Poudel after the meeting.

Chairman Regmi directed the ministers and secretaries to systematise the mobilisation of resources and employees and to implement the election code of conduct , according to spokesperson Poudel. The ministers and secretaries were also asked to completely abide by the election code of conduct . 

BEIJING, OCT 23 - China and India signed an agreement Wednesday on border defence cooperation after a stand-off along their disputed frontier in April fuelled fears of conflict between the Asian giants.

India n Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , visiting Beijing to seek a breakthrough in the border row that has soured relations for decades, witnessed the signing of the pact alongside Chinese Premier Li Keqiang .

The agreement will "help to maintain peace, tranquillity and stability in our border areas", Li said following the ceremony.

No further details were immediately available, but it was expected to include provisions for better communications between the two armies.

Singh told reporters: "We account for 2.5 billion people on this Earth and when India and China shake hands, the world notices."

The frontier agreement "will add to the existing instruments to ensure peace, stability and predictability on our borders", he added.

China and India fought a brief war in 1962 and the border between them has never been properly demarcated, although they have signed accords to maintain peace.

Nonetheless in April India accused Chinese troops of intruding nearly 20 kilometres (12 miles) into India n-held territory, sparking a standoff that was only resolved three weeks later when troops from both sides eventually pulled back.

Li said the two would hold joint counter-terrorism training in southwest China and "strengthen cooperation to combat terrorism".

China blames "terrorist" groups for incidents in its far western region of Xinjiang, home to Muslim Uighurs, and has in the past linked clashes to groups trained in neighbouring Pakistan.

Delhi and Beijing signed nine agreement s in total on Wednesday, including separate memorandums of understanding to strengthen cooperation on transborder rivers and transport.

China is India 's biggest trading partner, with two-way commerce totalling $67.83 billion in the last fiscal year, up from $2.1 billion in 2001-02.

But India 's trade deficit with its neighbour soared to $40.77 billion last year from just $1.08 billion in 2001-02, India n figures show.

Singh called the deficit "unsustainable" after his meeting with Li, who said the two countries "agree to pursue trade and mutual investment in a parallel fashion".

" China stands ready to work with India to strengthen cooperation on infrastructure, especially railway construction, and to push forward the establishment of a Bangladesh- China - India -Myanmar economic corridor," Li said.

The proposed land corridor, dubbed a new "southern silk road", would pass through Myanmar and Bangladesh to connect the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming with Kolkata, one of India 's largest cities.

KATHMANDU, OCT 23 - Tarai Madhesh Loktantrik Party ( TMLP ) has unveiled its manifesto for the upcomming Constituent Assembly (CA) elections. The party has stressed on inclusive state mechanism.

Unveiling the manifesto by TMLP Chairman Mahanta Thakur at party's office in Bijulibazar on Wednesday, Thakur opined that all the sectors of the state including legislative, executive, judiciary and army structure should be inclusive.

He said every ethnic group should represent the Nepal Army proportionate to population size.

The TMLP has emphasised on Autonomous Madhes Province in the manifesto.

It has also proposed directly elected prime minister from the parliament through mixed electoral system and ceremonial president as the form of governance.

It has also compiled various programmes to uplift youths, Muslims, indigenous, Dalits, women, handicapped and third genders.

NAWALPARASI, OCT 23 -
UCPN (Maoist) leader Baburam Bhattarai has said that promulgation of new constitution was not possible if the party fails to garner 2/3rd majority in the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) election.

He claimed that the UCPN (M) failed to draft constitution from the previous CA as the authoritarian powers--Nepali Congress and CPN-UML-- tried to revive the constitution of 2046 B.S.

He reiterated that the constitution will not be drafted and the nation will plunge into crisis till the UCPN (M) wins the election with new agendas.

Addressing an election assembly organised by the party at Kawasoti on Wednesday, Bhattarai claimed that the party has been making efforts to establish the rights of indigenous , Madhesis, Dalits and marginalized people.

Urging the locals to cast 2/3rd votes to his party, Bhattarai opined that one should not cast vote to older parties on the basis of relation.

"Our agendas are new, other parties even do not have one, so, constitution will be drafted if new agendas are given votes," Bhattarai said.

Also on the occasion, Bhattarai announced to provide Rs 2000 monthly pension to the elderly above 65 years of age and added that the decision has been included in party's manifesto.

He also said that the party would prioratise the issues of embankment in Narayani River and Kali Gandaki corridor (road stretching from Gaidakot to Pokhara) in the national priority list if his party garners majority in the CA election . 

MUMBAI, OCT 23 -
Actress Priyanka Chopra’s younger brother recently got engaged, but she is not under any pressure to get married, she says.

“My brother wanted to do it and in my family we all support each other. Thankfully, I don’t have any pressure to get married from my family. My dad never put this pressure on me to settle down,” Priyanka, who lost her father to cancer, said.

But the actress, who turned 31 this summer, admits that her mother wanted her to get married ever since she was 18.

“My mum is on her own track, but I never had any pressure because I am very work-driven. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be in a relationship or can’t get married. India has also changed and you can be a working woman and also have a family,” added the star of successful films like Aitraaz and Barfi!.

NEPALGUNJ, OCT 23 -
After suffering a humiliating defeat at his home constituency in Banke-3 in the previous Constituent Assembly election, there is nothing more that Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala would like than a breezy victory this time.

He cannot afford a consecutive defeat, given his political stature and seniority. Securing a win in the November polls is still not easy for the NC president, but his party supporters believe that he could pull it off.

They said a lot has changed over the last five years and that the situation is favourable for Koirala despite some challenges. Koirala is running against 35 candidates, including Pashupati Dayal Mishra of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, Dhawal Shumsher Rana of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Damodar Acharya of the UCPN (Maoist) and Bijaya Dhital of the CPN-UML.

His supporters are putting a great deal of effort in publicity campaigns to attract voters. They are promoting Koirala as a national leader and the future prime minister.

During this Dashain holidays, Koirala had spent his time visiting voters at his constituency and wooing them for their support. He is currently doing the same in his second constitueny in Chitwan-4.

Like Koirala, UML leader Bamdev Gautam is also vying from two constituencies, one in Pyuthan-1 and the other in Bardiya-1. Pyuthan-1 is Gautam’s home constituency, where he is squaring off against chief rivals Krishna Khadka of the Rastriya Janamorcha Party, Nawaraj Subedi of the UCPN (Maoist) and Hukum Bahadur Bista of the Nepali Congress. The UML had fielded Dhan Bahadur Rayamajhi from Pyuthan-1 in the previous CA election. UCPN (M) candidate Narayan Adhikari was elected then and Rayamajhi came third.  

Gautam has an edge over other candidates in Pyuthan-1 due to his political seniority over other nominees, claimed the UML.

The same cannot be predicted for the UML leader in Bardiya-1, where he had lost to Sarala Regmi of the UCPN (M) in the 2008 polls. Bhuwaneshwor Chaudhary of the NC and Bhuwan Chaudhary of the UCPN (Maoist) are Gautam’s chief competitors.

The situation is also not so favourable for UCPN (M) leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is running from Rolpa-1 this time. He had won from Dang-3 in the last election. Translating the same victory will not be easy for him in Rolpa-1, where the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist wields influence. Although Mahara has called for the support of the CPN-M to secure victory, the winning prospects of his chief rivals cannot be discounted.

Mahara is battling against Lekhnath Acharya of the NC, Balaram Gharti of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal and Hit Bahadur Roka of the UML. 

CHITWAN , OCT 23 -
Five people have been killed in a passenger bus accident in Mugling on Wednesday morning.

The Sai Safari Deluxe bus (Ba 2 Kha 9887) heading for the Capital from Dhran skidded off some 60 meters down the road into the Khahare Khola at Chandi Bhanjyang VDC-1 along the Narayangadh-Mugling highway at around 6 this morning.

The identification of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, 22 people have been rescued safely. They have undergoing treatment at local hospitals in Kurintar and Bharatpur.

KATHMANDU, OCT 23 -
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that he will take full responsibility for the 12-year-long armed conflict waged by his party and also remarked that he was ready to be hanged if found guilty.

Speaking at the Non Resident Nepali (NRN) conference in Kathmandu on Tuesday, Dahal pledged to take ownership of every single incident that occurred during the insurgency. “Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been envisaged to look after the faulty deeds of the past,” Dahal said, fielding a question on armed conflict as he went to the podium to deliver speech on ‘’Economic Agenda for Prosperous Nepal”. “If found guilty, I am ready to be hanged.”

Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, Federal Socialist Party Nepal Chairman Ashok Rai, among others, expressed their views that NRN had an important role to play to turn Nepal into a prosperous state.

BAGLUNG, OCT 22 -
Eight people have been killed in a jeep accident in Baglung district on Tuesday morning.

The passenger jeep (Ga 1 Ja 5120) heading for Myagdi headquarters Beni from Lekhphat, Lofrek of Parbat skidded some 50 meters down the road at Lekhphat VDC-2 nearby Kholakhet this morning. Eight people have been injured in the accident.

The identification of the deceased and injured is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, rescue operation is underway.

The injured have been ferried for the treatment in Beni for primary treatment. 

CHINA, OCT 22 -
China has no intention of altering its "correct" policies in the restive region of Tibet as they have brought unprecedented achievements, a government white paper said on Tuesday, slamming the romanticized notion Tibet was once an idyllic fairyland.

China has long defended its iron-fisted rule in remote and mountainous Tibet, saying the region suffered from dire poverty, brutal exploitation of serfs and economic stagnation until 1950, when Communist troops "peacefully liberated" Tibet and introduced "democratic reforms" in 1959.

When President Xi Jinping took office earlier this year there had been expectations in some quarters he may take a softer line on Tibet, partly because his late father, a reformist vice premier, had a close bond with the Dalai Lama .

But Xi has shown no sign of changing course in Tibet.

In a lengthy policy paper carried by the official Xinhua news agency, the government said that Tibet under Chinese rule had achieved a great deal.

"Today's Tibet is developing economically, making progress politically, has a flourishing culture, a harmonious society and a good environment; its people are happy and healthy," it said.

"Tibet's development cannot be separated from this correct path," the white paper added.

Tibetan exiles and rights groups say that China tramples on Tibet's culture, religion, language and environment, and has committed grievous abuses to ensure Beijing's rule.

Tensions in China's Tibetan regions are at their highest in years after a spate of self-immolation protests by Tibetans, which have led to an intensified security crackdown.

More than 120 Tibetans have set themselves alight since 2009, mainly in heavily ethnic Tibetan areas of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces rather than in what China terms the Tibet Autonomous Region. Most have died.

The white paper rejected the criticism, saying that "any fair-minded person would be filled with amazement" at the advancements China has bought to Tibet.

"There are some others in the world who intentionally distort the past and present of Tibet due to their ideological bias or out of consideration for their self interests. They created a 'Shangri-La' myth, wishing to keep Tibet in a backward primitive state forever," the white paper added.

It repeated China's assertion that exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is intent on pushing for Tibet's independence to sabotage its development and stability.

The Dalai Lama , who fled China in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, is considered a violent separatist by Beijing. The India-based Dalai Lama says he is merely seeking greater autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.

KATHMANDU, OCT 22 -
The CPN-UML has unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections on Tuesday.

Party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal unveiled its manifesto at party headquarters Balkhu this morning.

UML's manifesto compiles a draft of federal model with seven provinces, directly elected prime minister as head of government and giving importance to issues concerning economic development and national welfare.

Seven provinces includes—Limbuwan-Kirat-Koshi, Tamsaling-Newa-Bagmati, Magrat-Tamuwan-Gandak, Bheri-Karnali, Seti-Mahakali, Tharuhat-Awadh-Limbuwan and Mithila-Bhojpura-Janakpur.

The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party general secretary Ishwor Pokharel.

Party central members, officer bearers were present during the programme.

NUWAKOT, OCT 22 -

Two people have been killed and other nine injured in a mini truck accident in Nuwakot district on Monday night.

The deceased have been identified as Lalu Maya Tamang, 52, of Kalyanpur-9 and Ram Prasad Adhikari, 50.

The mini truck (Ba 1 Kha 8494) heading for Raniswar of Kalyanpur VDC from Bidur Municipality-8, Baguwa, skidded off some 50 meters down the road at round 10 last night.

Meanwhile, driver Santosh Tamang, 23, of Thansing-4, passengers Sunita Thakuri of Kalyanpur-9, and Srijana Singh Thakuri have sustained critical injuries in the accident. They have been undergoing treatment in the Capital. Rest of the injured have been receiving medical attention at Trishuli Hospital.

OCT 21 -
With less than a month to go for November 19, all the major parties have finalised their election manifestos and individual candidates are busy campaigning in their constituencies. Former vice-president of the Tarun Dal, the Nepali Congress (NC) youth wing, Udaya Shamsher Rana is contesting Lalitpur-1, where he lost to Barsha Man Pun from the UCPN (Maoist) in the 2008 Constituent Assembly (CA) election with a narrow margin of 1,318 votes. Pranaya Rana spoke to Udaya Shamsher about the Congress’ prospects, the party’s internal dynamics and its accommodation of youth leaders.

How will the NC fare in the upcoming elections, especially in the Valley?

Overall, the NC will be the largest party. In the Valley, I think the NC will improve on our previous tally. We are confident that we will win all three seats in Lalitpur. In the last election, we lost my constituency and constituency number two by only around 1,000 votes. We have a very strong candidate in constituency number three, which is our strongest constituency. So in Kathmandu we will get six-seven seats and in Lalitpur, we will sweep. The Congress will be the largest party but it would be unrealistic to say any party will get a majority. When we have 60 percent proportional representation, it’s impossible for any party to get a clear majority. To get a clear majority, a party will have to win at least 50 percent of the popular vote, which is very unlikely.

What has changed since 2008 to allow the NC to become the largest party?

In the Tarai, people are disenchanted with the Madhesi parties who tried to champion the Madhesi cause but all they were after was chair and money. The best alternative would be the Congress. In the hills, the Maoists have lost quite a bit of ground. There is no fear factor, intimidation and no Maoist wave. So one, our opponents have become weaker and two, people have realised that the Congress is the safest bet. We are very clear regarding the writing of a new democratic constitution. In the last CA, the Maoists were not interested in writing a new constitution. Their ultimate aim is to forcefully capture state power. They cannot do it through arms so they want to do it technically. Everyone, even Maoist cadres, has realised that 17,000 Nepali lives were lost for a fruitless cause.

Last CA elections, the NC was united behind a single central leader—Girija Prasad Koirala. This time, the party seems factionally divided behind Sushil Koirala and Sher Bahadur Deuba. Will this not hurt the Congress’ poll prospects?

I do not think this will affect us. Last elections, Girija Prasad Koirala was the Prime Minister but he did not campaign for the Congress. He remained neutral. Now, we have transformed the party from individual leadership to joint leadership. So the division within the party tends to get exaggerated, especially within a democratic party like ours. However, I think the issue of division within the Congress was always there, starting from the time of BP Koirala and Subarna Shamsher. But at the time of elections, groupism is forgotten. The Congress is now going to elections as a united front. So there was division at the time of the Mahasamiti [April 10-11 2013] and during the distribution of tickets, leaders probably favoured those who were close to them. But that chapter is now closed.

If the Congress is going to polls as a united front, why are there still dissident (baagi) candidates in a number of constituencies being contested by prominent Congress leaders?

This is insignificant. There are dissident candidates against Ram Chandra Poudel, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Sushil Koirala. These people have put in their individual candidacies to bargain and extract something from the party. Even if they contest all three seats, we will win comfortably. All three constituencies where there are baagi candidates are strong Congress areas. The people who put in their candidacies are not significant so it is not going to be a problem but it is a pain.

You lost the last elections to Barsha Man Pun by a narrow margin. Since then, he has emerged as a prominent Central Committee member and national leader while you have still known as a youth leader. What does this say about the dynamics of the Congress party?

In the end, I lost the elections. If I had won, I might have become a finance minister. I am very happy that there is a young leader who has done so well within the Maoist party. But the Congress, despite my losing, has given me a chance again. The party supports the youth. There were older leaders who could’ve been given the ticket but they gave it to me because the party feels that the youth will be able to garner more votes. At the same time we have to realise that promotion of youth leadership does not simply mean that you put the youth on a chair. We have to perform and we have to win the elections.

During ticket distribution, there was controversy over whether popular youth leaders would get tickets. How accommodating was the Congress of the youth during ticket distribution?

All youth leaders who were likely to win the election were given tickets. Maybe one or two got left out but I think being a youth helped in getting a ticket. I think leaders are conscious of the fact that almost 60 percent of total voters are aged between 18 and 35. There is a huge chunk of voters between 18 and 24 that will be voting for the first time and it is important to give them a candidate they can relate to. Among the probable winning candidates in my constituency, I am younger than both the CPN-UML and Maoist candidate and the youth are more inclined towards me.

What issues do you think are important for young voters?

Most young voters in the Valley and my constituency are educated. So they want to vote for people who are educated, who are not corrupt and who have done development works in the constituency. The youth want to be related to a candidate who can perform on two bases—development of the constituency and writing of the constitution. In my constituency, it is not just the youth but among all voters, I think I am ahead.

On a final note, what are the core agendas the NC is taking to the people in the election?

Federalism and forms of governance are important but the main agenda of the Congress is a democratic constitution and certain democratic principles that are recognised over the world. These include independent judiciary, executive and legislature—all three have to be independent—freedom of the press, right to property and basic human rights. All these principles have to be engraved in the preamble of the constitution. Second, we are going to write a federal constitution and Nepal is going to be a federal state. But this has to be a practical federal state. It cannot be divided on a single identity basis. Multiple identities have to be taken into consideration—caste, language, river basin, geography and economy. Third, the maximum number of states we can have in Nepal is seven. Five would be even better. I personally feel two in the Tarai and three in the hills. The Tarai has to be given a state within itself. We are not in favour of dividing the Tarai north to south.

And what about form of governance?

As far as the form of governance is concerned, we stick by parliamentary form of democracy. In a country like ours, there is a possibility that if the President is directly elected, he risks becoming a dictator. In order to control the concentration of power in an individual’s hands, it is important that the Parliament is strong and elects the leader of the government.

DELHI, OCT 06 -
Nepal Army chief Gen Gaurav SJB Rana has drawn severe criticism for making a ‘political comment’ going beyond the protocol during his India visit where he had said the “Indian Army is capable of giving strong response to China in case of an attack or war”.

In an exclusive interview with the Times of India (TOI) on Friday, Gen Rana had said the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could not enter India. “China is too pre-occupied with the Tibetan issue. And, then there is Xinjiang region facing the separatist movement. The PLA cannot afford to enter India, or for that matter Nepal. Whether it’s the mighty Himalayas or the Indo-Gangetic plains, they have no reasons to make incursions into India. There are no provocations,” TOI quoted Rana as saying in Chandigarh. Rana was on a week-long official visit to India. He returned Kathmandu on Saturday.

“An officiating Army chief should not be making a political comment like this,” Ashok Mehta, retired major general of the Indian Army and Nepal expert told the Post. “He acted like he was visiting here in the capacity of the prime minister.”

Many readers commented on his remarks on the online edition of the TOI, urging him not to make inept comments on Indo-Nepal and regional affairs in the capacity of the Army chief.

Mehta said his comment has undermined security sensitivity of the country. “If he has not been misquoted, he has said that the incursion of the PLA into the Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh is a common occurrence, which is an unauthorised and undiplomatic comments for an Army chief to make.”

“China cannot afford to enter India even as he sought to stick to his country’s non-alignment policy for not offering military support to either country in case of a war,” TOI quoted Rana’s dismissive comment on the recent reports of 640 sq km incursion in Ladakh by the Chinese PLA.

MUMBAI, OCT 02 -
Actress Sonakshi Sinha , who was seen coming out of the water wearing a saree in "R...Rajkumar", says she will not wear a bikini.

Asked while other actresses are seen donning a bikini while on beach, she said: "No bikini...jitna hai usi se kaam chalao...be happy with what you get."

Directed by Prabhu Deva, "R...Rajkumar" also stars Shahid Kapoor.

KATHMANDU, OCT 02 -
CPN-UML cadres in Banke locked three central members on Wednesday after dispute surfaced in the party over the selection of candidates contesting the upcoming Constituent Assembly election . They also shouted anti-slogans outside the party office premises.

The dispute emerged after the party provided election ticket in Banke-3 against the recommendation made by the party's regional level. The regional level had recommended Padam Dhital to contest the polls under the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) category. The party, however, fielded Bijaya Dhital in the same category to fulfill women quota in Bheri zone.

Enraged by the decision, cadres close to Padam locked central members Dev Raj Bhar, Gaura Prasai and Dal Bahadur Sunar inside the party office room. They have demanded that the party resurrect their decision and select Padam in the FPTP category.

Meanwhile, Bijaya, who was recommended for proportional electoral system, is also understood to be in a quandary to contest the polls under the FPTP category.

KATHMANDU, OCT 02 -
The UCPN (Maoist) has finalised its candidates contesting the November election under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category.

The meeting held till late Tuesday night at party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence finalised the list.

The party is yet to pick candidates from the Madhes, the most disputed region in the party. It is yet to pick candidates from the districts of Tamsaling as well.

Meanwhile, party leader Barsha Man Pun will be contesting from Morang-9.

Likewise, Lekhraj Bhatta will be contesting from Kailali-5.



List of candidates

DANG

1 Narayani Sharma

2 Hom Bahadur Pun

3 Nirmal Acharya

4 Ramji Chaudhary

5 Punam Saipali

BANKE

1 Maheshwor Gahatraj

2 Parmananda Verma

3 Damodar Acharya

4 Purna Kumari Subedi

BARDIYA

1 Bhuwan Tharu

2 Tilak Ram Tharu

3 Santa Bahadur Tharu

4 Man Bahadur Tharu

KAILALI

1 Phoolrama Chaudhary

2 Bhim bahadur Kadayat

3 Sher Bahadur Chaudhary

4 Krishna Kumar Chaudhary

5 Lekhraj Bhatta

6 Lila Bhndari



KAPILVASTU

1 Chandapani Khanal

2 Ram Lotan Tiwari

3 Satya Narayan Tiwari

4 Santoshi Pandey

5 Javed Khan



PALPA

1 Tejendra Sijali Magar

2 Basanta Sharma

3 Netra Pandey



LAMJUNG

1 Parasmani Poudel

2 Devendra Parajuli



TANAHUN

1 Ramesh Sigdel

2 Pmraj Ale

3 Sita Pokhrel



RUPANDEHI

1 Devendra Pandey

2 Binod Upadhyay

3 Laxmi Thapa

4 Baburam Bhattarai

5 Madhav Sharma

6 Laamlotan Yadav

7 Musud Ali



NAWALPARASI

1 Dhan Prasad Sapkota

2 Moti Rijal

3 Sita Boudel

4 Chinak Kurmi

5 Raju Harijan

6 ram Dhani Kewar

MECHI ZONE

TAPLEJUNG

1 Sancha Pal Maden

2 Tanka Aangbuhang



Paanchthar

1 Aendra Kerung

2 Dinesh Lawati



ILAM

1 Yubaraj Poudel

2 Ramesh Kumar Lingden

3 Dhirendra Sharma



JHAPA

1 Bodgraj Dahal

2 Purna Singh ranbansi

3 Dharmasila Chapagain

4 Raju Acharya

5 Jhalak Bahadur Magar

6 Pushpa Dhakal





KOSHI ZONE



BHOJPUR

1 Khem Raj Nepali

2 Sudan rai



DHANKUTA

1 Hem Raj  Bhandari

2 hari Raj Khewa



SANKHUWASABHA

1 Indra Hang Rai

2 Rajendra Kirati



Tehrathum-3 Durga Prasad Chapagain



MORANG



1 Ganesh Uprety

2 Dev Raj B handari

3 Khem Raj Bhattarai

4 Shiva kumar Mandal

5 Baleshwor Kamat

6 Baburaja Ojha

7 Gopal Katuwal

8 Gopi Achhami

9 Barsha Man Pun



SUNSARI

1 Gopal Kirati

2 Ram Kumari Chaudhari

3 Haider Ali

4 Ram koirala

5 Nandan Kumar Dutta

6 Damber Subedi



SAGARMATHA ZONE



KHOTANG

1 Durga jayanti Rai

2 Dewan Rai



OKHANDHUNGA

1 Kesab Rai

2 Pesal Khatiwoda



SOLUKHUMBU

1 Gombu Sherpa



UDAYAPUR

1 Rajan Kirati

2 Suresh Kumar Rai

3 Mohan Bahadur Khatri

KATHMANDU, OCT 02 -
The CPN-UML on Tuesday made public its list of candidates contesting the November election in 238 of the 240 constituencies under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category. The party’s top brass had been working on the names for the past few weeks. They are, however, yet to decide on the candidates for Rautahat-3 and Bhaktapur-1 constituencies.

A meeting of the party’s Standing Committee in a Gokarna-based hotel here, decided to field almost all senior leaders for the direct election system. The party will now choose candidates contesting under the proportional representation system.

Party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal will contest the polls from Ilam constituency No 1 and Sarlahi-1. Khanal had won the 2008 CA election from his home constituency in Ilam. This time around, the party decided to field him from the Tarai as well after Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal also decided to fight from Siraha and Chitwan respectively to make senior leaders’ presence felt in the southern plains.

The UML has fielded senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal in Kathmandu-1 and Rautahat -1. Although Nepal lost the polls in the previous election from both Rautahat and Kathmandu, he was later nominated as CA member.

Another senior leader KP Sharma Oli is contesting the election from Jhapa-7, while vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam is contesting from Pyuthan-1 and Bardiya. The party has fielded actor Bhuwan KC in Kathmandu-1. “All the candidates have been asked to go to their constituencies immediately and intensify campaigning so that the party emerges victorious in the polls,” party spokesperson Pradeep Gyawali said.

UML election candidates

Bhupendra Thebe, Taplejung-1

Dambardhwoj Tumbahamphe, Taplejung-2

Ganesh Kangmang, Panchthar-1

Dambar Sambahamphe, Panchthar-2

Hemraj Ghimire, Sankhuwasabha-1

Rajendra Gautam, Sankhuwasabha-2

Bhawani Khapung, Tehrathum

Kripasur Sherpa, Bhojpur-1

Sherdhan Rai, Bhojpur-2

Aangnima Lama, Solukhumbu

Janardan Dhakal, Rasuwa

Chhiring Lopsang, Manang

Chandra Mohan Gauchan, Mustang

Dhan Bahadur Budha, Dolpa

Mohan Baniya, Mugu

Padam Bahadur Rokaya, Jumla

Kurma Raj Shahi, Kalikot

Dal Rawal, Humla

Karna Bahadur Thapa, Bajura

Bhim Bahadur Rawal, Achham-1

Bharat Saud, Achham-2

Man B Khatri, Bajhang-1

Lal B Rawal, Bajhang-2

Narad Malasi, Doti-1

Prem Bahadur Aale, Doti-2

Ganesh Singh Thagunna, Darchula

Damodar Bhandari, Baitadi-1

Mahadev Bhatta, Baitadi-2

Tara Prasad Joshi, Dadeldhura

PK Rai, Khotang-1

Bishal Bhattarai, Khotang-2

Khem Man Khadka, Rukum-1

Thagendra Prakash Puri, Rukum-2

Bamdev Gautam, Pyuthan-1

Hiram Bahadur KC, Pyuthan-2

Gulabjung Shah, Salyan-1

Prakash Jwala, Salyan-2

Hit Bahadur Roka, Rolpa-1

Kumar Dasaudi, Rolpa-2

Rewati Rama Sharma, Dang-1

Shanta Chaudhary, Dang-2

Laxman Acharya, Dang-3

Shankar Pokharel, Dang-4

Uttar Kumar Oli, Dang-5

Dev Raj Bhar, Banke-1

Dinesh Chandra Yadav, Banke-2

Bijaya Dhital, Banke-3

Dal Bahadur Sunar, Banke-4

Dambar Bahadur Singh, Jajarkot-1

Krishna Bahadur Budha, Jajarkot-2

Ammar Bahadur Thapa, Dailekh-1

Laxmi Prasad Pokharel, Dailekh-2

Lal B Bishwokarma, Kanchanpur-1

Tara Lama, Kanchanpur-2

Nar Bahadur Dhami, Kanchapur-3

Urba Datta Pant, Kanchanpur-4

Nawaraj Sharma, Myagdi

Hira KC, Baglung-1

Surya Pathak, Baglung-2

Shanti Adhikari, Baglung-3

Jamindra Man Ghale, Lamjung-1

Prithivi Subba Gurung, Lamjung-2

Ram Sharan Basnet, Gorkha-1

Baburam Adhikari, Gorkha-2

Krishna Nepali, Gorkha-3

Ram Bahadur Gurung, Tanahun-1

Krishna Kumar Shrestha, Tanahun-2

Tukraj Sigdel, Tanahun-3

Narayan Marasini, Syangja-1

Krishna Khad, Syangja-2

Mukti Prasad Pathak, Syangja-3

Maina Kumari Bhandari, Gulmi-1

Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Gulmi-2

Gokarna Bista, Gulmi-3

Balram Adhikari, Kapilvastu-1

Ajijud Rahaman, Kapilvastu-2

Baburam Khanal, Kapilvastu-3

Netra Raj Adhikari, Kapilvastu-4

Mina Pariyar, Kapilvastu-5

Madhav Kumar Nepal, Rautahat-1

Abdul Kalam Aajad, Rautahat-2

Sarala Yadav, Rautahat-4

Ram Kumar Bhattarai, Rautahat-5

Batahu Yadav, Bara-1

Basudev Yadav, Bara-2

Binod Shah, Bara-3

Mahamud Aalam, Bara-4

Balbir Chaudhary, Bara-5

Purushottam Poudel, Bara-6

Nawaraj Sharma, Parsa-1

Bichari Yadav, Parsa-2

Raj Kumar Gupta, Parsa-3

Pradhumna Chauhan, Parsa-4

Jaya Prakash Tharu, Parsa-5

Gunaraj Jarghamagar, Makawanpur-1

Subas Chandra Thakuri, Makawanpur-2

Ananta Raj Poudel, Makawanpur-3

Rajaram Syangtan, Makawanpur-4

Radhakrishna Kanel, Palpa-1

Som Prasad Pande, Palpa-2

Kul Prasad Nepal, Palpa-3

Narendra Kumar Chhetri, Arghakhachi-1

Duman Thapa, Arghakhachi-2

Arun Nepal, Sindhupalchwok-1

Subas Karmacharya, Sindhupalchwok-2

Sher Bahadur Tamang, Sindhupalchwok-3

Keshav Pande, Nuwakot-1

Shobha Shrestha, Nuwakot-2

Narayan Khatiwada, Nuwakot-3

Sangramjit Lama, Kavre-1

Ramhari Subedi, Kavre-2

Gokul Baskota, Kavre-3

Bidur Sapkota, Kavre-4

Parbat Gurung, Dolakha-1

Ananda Pokharel, Dolakha-2

Kamal Prakash Sunuwar, Ramechhap-1

Kailash Dhungel, Ramechhap-2

Ganesh Pahadi, Sindhuli-1

Uma Koirala, Sindhuli-2

Kamal Jung Rai, Sindhuli-3

Jhala Nath Khanal, Sarlahi-1

Surendra Lama, Sarlahi-2

Hari Upreti    , Sarlahi-3

Raj Narayan Shah, Sarlahi-4

Narendra Raya Yadav, Sarlahi-5

Bina Thakur, Sarlahi-6

Durga Dahal, Mahottari-1

Manju Yadav, Mahottari-2

Ram Dayal Mandal, Mahottari-3

Ilias Ansari, Mahottari-4

Dip Narayan Sah Teli, Mahottari-5

Kaushi Lal Yadav, Mahottari-6

Ratneshwor Goit, Dhanusha-1

Ananda (Gangaram) Yadav, Dhanusha-2

Juli Kumari Mahato, Dhanusha-3

Shree Prasad Yadav, Dhanusha-4

Raghu Bir Mahaseth, Dhanusha-5

Yognarayan Yadav, Dhanusha-6

Shatrughan Mahato, Dhanusha-7

Rajendra Mahato, Siraha-1

Ram Chandra Yadav, Siraha-2

Pramod Kumar Yadav , Siraha-3

Ram Awatar Yadv, Siraha-4

Lilanath Shrestha, Siraha-5

Sitadevi Shah, Siraha-6

Jhala Nath Khanal, Ilam-1

Subas Nembang, Ilam-2

Tek Bahadur Rai, Ilam-3

Rabin Koirala, Jhapa-1

Pabitra Niraula, Jhapa-2

Basanta Baniya, Jhapa-3

Prem Giri, Jhapa-4

Lal Prasad Sawa, Jhapa-5

Deepak Rai, Jhapa-6

KP Sharma Oli, Jhapa-7

Tika Chemjong, Dhankuta-1

Rajendra Rai, Dhankuta-2

Krishna Kumar Rai, Sunsari-1

Rewati Bhandari, Sunsari-2

Bhagwati Chaudhary, Sunsari-3

Khem Raj Pokharel, Sunsari-4

Jagdish Kushait, Sunsari-5

Bhim Prasad Acharya, Sunsari-6

Rishikesh Pokharel, Morang-1

Chandi Prasd Rai, Morang-2

Guru Baral    , Morang-3

Gyaneshwor Rajbanshi, Morang-4

Pujan Niraula, Morang-5

Mahesh Bhattarai, Morang-6

Yasoda Adhikari, Morang-7

Chandra Bahadur Gurung, Morang-8

Ghanshyam Khatiwada, Morang-9

Yagya Raj Sunuwar, Okhaldhunga-1

Nani Babu Budhathoki, Okhaldhunga-2

Mani Raj Upadhya, Udayapur-1

Manju Chaudhary, Udayapur-2

Jaganath Khatiwada, Udayapur-3

Suman Pyakurel, Saptari-1

Sailendra Jha, Saptari-2

Manjudevi Sah, Saptari-3

Tarakant Chaudhari, Saptari-4

Govinda Neupane, Saptari-5

Brij Narayan Shah, Saptari-6

Prem Saud, Kailai-1

Mohan Singh Rathaur, Kailai-2

Chandrika Prasad Chaudhary, Kailai-3

Drigha Sodari, Kailali-4

Padam Singh Sidhal, Kailai-5

Maheshwor Pathak, Kailai-6

Kamala Sharma, Surkhet-1

Yam Lal Kandel, Surkhet-2

Nawaraj Rawat, Surkhet-3

Ganesh Timilsina, Parbat-1

Bikash Lamsal, Parbat-2

Man Bahadur GC, Kaski-1

Krishna Thapa, Kaski-2

Rabindra Adhikari, Kaski-3

Sita Giri, Kaski-4

Deepak Adhikari, Nawalparasi-1

Jeevan Shrestha, Nawalparasi-2

Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Nawalparasi-3

Baijanath Chaudhary, Nawalparasi-4

Dipendra Pokharel, Nawalparasi-5

Ringala Yadav, Nawalparasi-6

Chhabi Lal Bishwokarma, Rupandehi-1

Bharat Pokharel, Rupandehi-2

Ghanshyam Bhusal, Rupandehi-3

Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Rupandehi-4

Ram Nath Dhakal, Rupandehi-5

Pampawati Khanal, Rupandehi-6

Shreeram Yadav, Rupandehi-7

Surendra Pande, Chitwan-1

Krishna Khanal, Chitwan-2

Dil Kumari Rawal, Chitwan-3

Dan Bahadur Tamang, Chitwan-4

Dhan Bahadur Ghale, Dhading-1

Guru Burlakoti, Dhading-2

Rajendra Pande, Dhading-3

Bhuwan KC, Kathmandu-1

Madhav Kumar Nepal, Kathmandu-2

Rameshwor Phuyal, Kathmandu-3

Nirmal Kuikel, Kathmandu-4

Ishwor Pokharel, Kathmandu-5

Yogesh Bhattarai, Kathmandu-6

Rambir Manandhar, Kathmandu-7

Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Kathmandu-8

Krishna Gopal Shresha, Kathmandu-9

Surendra Manandhar, Kathmandu-10

Mahesh Basnet, Bhaktapur-2

Madhu Sudan Poudel, Lalitpur-1

Krishna Lal Maharjan, Lalitpur-2

Raghuji Panta, Lalitpur-3