As the House of Representatives elections approach, Nepali Congress candidate for Rukum West, Raju KC, has begun his election campaign amidst various controversies.

The district working committee held a large meeting at the district party office on Thursday and Friday and has started campaigning.

Joint Secretary Yagya Bista said that the meeting ended the differences that had arisen after Congress Rukum West District President Prem Prakash Wali expressed public dissatisfaction over the nomination of Raju KC as a candidate.

‘It has been decided in the district working committee meeting to go door-to-door to meet voters from Magh 17 to Falgun 8 and to hold a municipal-level election meeting from Falgun 9 to 14,’ he said, ‘Now there is no contradiction or difference of opinion within the party. No matter what happens, we have unanimously decided to engage in election campaigning by getting along with each other.’

A 301-member election mobilization committee has also been formed under the coordination of Vice President Harak Singh Khatri.

District President Prem Prakash Wali said that although he is committed to implementing the decisions made by the District Working Committee, there are still contradictions and dissatisfaction within the party. He openly expressed his dissatisfaction that his and Gopalji Jung Shah's names were recommended from the district but KC got the ticket.

'I will participate in election campaigning, but I cannot say the same about other friends,' Wali told Kantipus, 'The process of leaders and workers of some parties joining other parties has already started. This also causes us losses. Rajuji is enjoying himself among a limited number of people. This causes losses to himself and Rukum West Congress.'

Joint Secretary Bista emphasizes that contradictions and differences exist everywhere, but they should be resolved. ‘The president should also engage in campaigning and will engage,’ he said, ‘No one in the responsibility of the Congress can be irresponsible in this situation. If someone does any activity outside the party discipline, he should be subject to legal action.’

Candidate’s liaison office outside the party office

Candidate Raju KC has opened a ‘liaison office’ by renting a separate room about 500 meters away from the district office. This also indicates the contradictions of the Congress Rukum West.

Emphasizing that whether it is a candidate or someone else, the activities related to the party should be from within the office, President Wali expressed ignorance about the opening of a liaison office. The Congress has a large party office with 15 rooms and a hall in Khalanga Bazaar in Musikot Municipality-1. But candidate KC’s liaison office has been opened in a rented room in a private house near the Kalika Temple.

Deputy Secretary Bista said that a private secretariat has been opened for the convenience of the candidate and that party-related activities will be done from the office. While saying this, the board placed in the office does not mention ‘private secretariat’.

It is written as ‘Nepali Congress Representative Assembly candidate Raju K.C.’s liaison office.’ Regarding the matter, KC said that the office was established before the district working committee meeting but will now work from the party office.