In a desperate measure to register victory in the second phase of local elections, political parties are inviting resourceful and ‘powerful’ local leaders and fielding them as the candidates. There is a growing tendency among leaders to switch from one party to another in the places where second phase of local level elections are due to be held on June 28.

 Basharuddin Ansari, managing director of Birgunj-based National Medical College and Teaching Hospital, wasn’t into politics. But resourceful Ansari got ticket from UCPN (Maoist) from Parsa constituency-2 in the second Constituent Assembly election in 2013. Four years later, he was roped in by CPN-UML assuring him to field as mayoral candidate in Birgunj Metropolitan City.

 National Medical College, Birjung, has been notorious for charging exorbitant fees in MBBS and post-graduate medical courses. Ansari has also established the extension of Birjung-based medical college in Ghattekulo, Kathmandu. However, his repeated efforts to seek affiliation to run medical courses, using his political clout, have gone in vain. 

 From Gaur Municipality, Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal has fielded Ansu Singh, wife of controversial former lawmaker Baban Singh, as deputy mayoral candidate. Ansu, who doesn’t have political background, was given ticket to cash in the ‘influence’ of Baban. The party has found Bijay Sarabagi, former chairman of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for the mayoral candidate from Birjunj metropolis.

 Sidelining the committed local party leaders, ruling Nepali Congress has fielded businessman Rajesh Yadav as the mayoral candidate from Kalaiya municipality. Similarly, the UML chose local businessman Shambhu Sah over its party leaders who have long been into the politics to run for mayor in Gaur municipality.

The Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, which has announced to boycott the polls has readied ‘powerful’ Rajeshman Singh as its mayoral candidate in Birgunj metropolis if it participates in the election.

Similarly, it has been learnt from sources that the party is preparing to put forward wife of suspended lawmaker Sanjay Kumar Sah as deputy mayoral candidate from Janakpur sub-metropolis. Sah, who is currently doing time in prison for bombing and murder, is known for money and muscle.

Political analyst Jhalak Subedi claims such practice isn’t new to Nepali politics. He says its natural human tendency to seek for power and that applies to Nepali parties as well.