Prez Bhandari likely to continue

Mar 8, 2018-Incumbent President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Nepali Congress (NC) leader Kumari Laxmi Rai have filed their nominations for the presidential election scheduled for March 13. Earlier, Bhandari was elected as President under the ‘transitional provision’ of the constitution.

Bhandari filed her nomination on Wednesday after the UML Standing Committee meeting on Tuesday night picked her as presidential candidate. After the UML decided to  continue with Bhandari for a second term as President, a Nepali Congress Central Committee meeting also went for the female candidate, picking Rai for the presidential race.

Coincidently, both the candidates hail from Bhojpur district.

After filing her candidacy at the Election Officer’s office in New Baneshwor on Wednesday, Bhandari said her performance as the head of state over the last two and half years was like an open book. Bhandari was elected President in October 2015 after the promulgation of new constitution.

“I have performed my duty as per the constitutional and legal provisions and everyone is aware about my performance,” Bhandari said, claiming that she remained free of controversy during her tenure.

But the NC has a different take, raising questions over her decision to snub the candidates recommended by NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba for the National Assembly. The main opposition, which had earlier indicated that it would not contest the election if the left alliance chooses other candidate, decided to enter the battlefield after the UML decision.

“The NC-led government had recommended three members to NA but the President rejected them which proved that Bhandari failed in her constitutional role. That’s why we filed our candidacy for the election,” said Nepali Congress General Secretary Shashank Koirala.

NC presidential candidate Rai said, “Following the party decisions, I have filed my nomination and I am happy to contest the election with Bhandari.”

With the left alliance boasting a clear majority both in the Federal Parliament and Provincial Assemblies, Bhandari is likely to win the election.

NC leaders said the party decided to contest the election to express its dissatisfaction over the President’s role.



source:www.kathmandupost.ekantipur.com