Four provincial assembly members of parliament (MPs) from Koshi Province have lost the internal election to select delegates for the CPN (UML)’s 11th National General Convention. Two lawmakers from Sunsari, one from Jhapa, and one from Udaypur were defeated.
In Sunsari Constituency-1, provincial lawmakers Ramesh Kumar Rai and Bijay Kumar Rai both lost after attempts to forge a consensus failed. They had secured 1,920 and 1,910 votes respectively in the provincial assembly.
In Jhapa Constituency-4, provincial member Radhakrishna Khanal, who previously received 4,910 assembly votes, also lost the elections. Likewise, Udaypur proportional representative Geeta Devi Regmi failed to win the women’s delegate seat in Constituency 1, finishing fifth among six candidates.
UML ex-minister accused of human-trafficking secures delegate seat
Despite serious allegations of human trafficking, former Koshi Province Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Lila Ballav Adhikari has been elected as a general convention delegate from Morang Constituency 2.
Adhikari was earlier arrested on charges of preparing fake documents to illegally send Nepali citizens to Japan. Controversy intensified after the Government Attorney’s Office decided not to file a case against him, prompting a petition at the Supreme Court demanding his re-arrest.
In Morang Constituency 2, Rishikesh Pokharel secured the highest votes, with Adhikari placing second. The result shows strong backing for Adhikari from party cadres despite ongoing legal disputes. Critics argue that allowing a figure accused in a grave human-trafficking case to serve as a general convention delegate is inappropriate.
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