The Dhanusha district convention of the CPN-UML turned violent on Tuesday due to escalating power struggles between party leaders Raghubir Mahaseth and Leela Shrestha in Madhesh Province.

A clash broke out during the scheduled voting day, resulting in vandalism and physical assaults.

According to the District Police Office in Dhanusha, five party members were injured in the scuffle, including Satyanarayan Mahaseth and Mahesh Das, both of whom sustained head injuries.

Former UML district chair Rajkishor Yadav was also attacked. The election process for selecting district leadership was suspended until Wednesday after tensions flared over alleged irregularities in the voter list and candidate selection.

It is learnt that disputes over last-minute changes in candidacy and voter roll fueled further unrest.

Leaders Bhola Yadav and Umashankar Argariya, backed by Mahaseth and Shrestha factions respectively, are the main contenders for the party district chairman.