The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has expelled seven leaders, including senior figure Haribol Gajurel, for fielding rebel candidates and supporting nominations against the party’s officially endorsed candidates.
According to the party, the action was taken after the leaders violated party discipline by standing as candidates—or acting as proposers and supporters—for individuals contesting against candidates selected by the party’s central leadership.
Those expelled include Haribol Gajurel, Maheshwar Dahal of Sindhuli, Kul Prasad KC of Dang, Major Rai of Udayapur, Dharmanath Sah of Siraha, Rajkumari Sah, and Jivach Sah.
In Sindhuli-2, the party’s central committee had officially nominated Lekhnath Dahal as its candidate. However, Maheshwar Dahal filed his candidacy with the backing of Haribol Gajurel and his supporters.
Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal had earlier sent a formal letter to Gajurel instructing him to withdraw the candidacy.
The Election Commission had set the deadline for candidate withdrawal from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. After the candidacy was not withdrawn within the stipulated time, coordinator Prachanda and co-coordinator Nepal issued a public notice on Saturday announcing disciplinary action.
In Dang district, the NCP had nominated Metmani Chaudhary as its official candidate. Dissatisfied with the decision, former chief minister Kul Prasad KC submitted his own candidacy.
The party confirmed that KC was also expelled on Saturday for defying the party’s official decision.
