The CPN-UML has decided to recommend the single name of former minister Rajendra Kumar Rai from Dhankuta for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21. UML Dhankuta Chairman Shiva Angla Limbu said that an expanded meeting of the district committee held on Sunday reached a consensus on Rai's name.

Limbu says that the decision to recommend his name was made based on the strengthening of the party organization, public support, political contribution and ability to win the election. UML Koshi Province Committee Vice-Chairman Tikaram Chemjong and former central member Shakuntala Basnet were also interested in running for the candidacy. Chemjong was elected as a member of the Constituent Assembly from Dhankuta Constituency 1 in the second Constituent Assembly election held in 2070 BS.

Limbu said that a unanimous decision was made in Rajendra's name at the last moment. 'Comrade Tika supported Comrade Rajendra,' he said.

Although UML Dhankuta Chairman Limbu claimed that Rajendra Kumar Rai's name was unanimously recommended, UML Koshi Province Committee Secretariat member Indramani Parajuli has accused him of being a sloppy decision maker. ‘There were three aspirants for the candidate, it was a matter of reaching an agreement between all three, but Chairman Limbu announced Rajendraji as the single name,’ he said. Former central member Shakuntala Basnet accused District Chairman Limbu of not listening to them. ‘We said that we would make a decision only after reaching an agreement among the aspirants, but they did not listen to us,’ she said, ‘This has become a one-sided decision. Now we will not remain silent.’