Independent candidate Rajiv Gurung alias Deepak Manange has been elected as the province assembly member from Manang Province ‘Kha’ constituency.

He mustered 1,410 votes while his closest contender Karma Gurung of Nepali Congress (NC) garnered 390 votes.

Chief District Officer Hari Prasad Panta confirmed Manange’s victory.

CPN-UML candidate Khanda Lama had withdrawn her nomination from province “kha” constituency to support Manange.

UML's district committee office had unanimously recommended Manange for the candidacy but the party's central office refused to provide election ticket to him.