A clash occurred in Butwal on March 5 after the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) violated the election code of conduct. At the Namobuddha Hotel in Itahari, Butwal, dozens of vehicles and RSP leaders and activists were gathered in violation of the silent period and election code, which led to a clash when UML youth cadres entered the hotel, according to police.
Baburam Panthi, Deputy Secretary of UML Rupandehi, stated that during the monitoring of activities violating the election code during the silent period, a minor clash occurred among the party’s youth while overseeing the situation.
In the clash, former mayor of Sainamaina Chitrabahadur Karki, who had recently joined RSP from UML, Sunil Shahi, chairperson of RSP Butwal-11, and others sustained minor injuries.
Similarly, the car of Narayan Bhusal, husband of Manju Bhusal, a proportional candidate and president of the Construction Entrepreneurs Association, Rupandehi, was also damaged. DSP Krishna Kumar Chand of the District Police Office, Rupandehi, said that there was a brief scuffle between RSP and UML cadres. “At first glance, it appears that the election code was violated, and the dispute occurred over that issue. The situation is now under control,” DSP Chand said. “Police have reached the scene and are investigating; further details will follow after the investigation.”
Krishna Kumal, President of the Youth Association Rupandehi, stated that RSP leaders went to the squatter settlements to distribute money. When they were being followed, the RSP leaders entered the hotel, and upon observing suspicious activities in violation of the code of conduct, they protested.
Kumal added that RSP candidate Kharel falsely claimed that there was an attack on him to gain sympathy. RASWAPA leader Chitra Karki stated that after attempts to bring him back to UML failed, he was attacked in retaliation.
In Rupandehi-2, there is strong competition among UML Party Vice President and former Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Nepali Congress’s Chunnaprasad Sharma Paudel, and RSP’s Sulabh Kharel.