The CPN-UML has finalised the names of 16 candidates to represent the party in the House of Representatives under the proportional representation (PR) category.

Lekh Raj Bhatta, the deputy general secretary of the party, informed that the UML Secretariat's meeting held at UML chair KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Gundu on Saturday finalised the list of would-be lawmakers.

“Along with party vice-chair Ram Bahadur Thapa, Kul Bhakta Shakya, Bhumika Subba and Ganga Devi Shrestha have been selected from the indigenous women/men category, while Padma Aryal, Tuka Bhadra Hamal and Yashoda Kumari Baral are from the Khas Arya women’s group,” he said. “The party has chosen Guru Prasad Baral and Pushpa Raj Kandel from the Khas Arya men category.”

Kripa Ram Rana Tharu has been selected from the Tharu cluster, while Bishnu Maya BK and Nita Ghatani are from the Dalit community.

The party has also decided to send Ringala Yadav and Yashoda Kumari Yadav to Parliament from the Madhesi women’s category, while Chandreshwor Mandal represents Madhesi men.

UML has nominated Sajita Yadav Siddiqui as a proportional representation lawmaker from the Muslim women’s category.