Immediately after the announcement of the by-elections for the vacant constituencies of Jhapa-6, Morang-1 and Rautahat-4 on December 9,  the rush for ticket for Morang-1 constituency has increased in the Nepali Congress.

Shailaja Acharya, who was defeated by Badri Mandal in Morang-7 constituency in last general elections, is the first person to claim the ticket. On the other hand, Aamod Upadhaya, brother-in-law of Nona Koirala, is also eyeing the seat.

Meanwhile, a highly placed source in the Koirala family informed that the Koirala family has almost decided to contest Aamod Upadhaya from that constituency.

Previously, efforts were made to give NC ticket to Harsha Koirala, late B. P. Koirala’s youngest son, who is a computer engineer. This attempt was also made to corner Prakash Koirala, BP’s oldest son, from NC politics. But, Harsha denied accepting this offer by stating that he had no interest in politics.

Presently, under pressure of Nona (Girija’s sister-in-law), Girija is psychologically prepared to offer the ticket to Aamod. Girija Prasad Koirala may also be favouring Upadhyaya, as Upadhyaya had worked very hard for Girija’s victory in that constituency. But, local NC leaders are pressuring Girija  not to choose Upadhaya.

In this race to get ticket, Sujata Jost has formulated a group to pressurize her father to give nominate her for the election. The group is arguing on behalf of Sujata saying that as Sujata, although a winning candidate, gave up the claim from the Sunsari constituency in the last general election, this time, Sujata has to get the ticket from the Morang-1 constituency. Sujata herself has funded the pressure group, brought from Biratnagar.

On the other hand, Prakash Koirala is also claiming that he is the only candidate to get the ticket. Prakash is even saying that if he will not get ticket this time, his political carrier will be finished. Sushil Koirala, NC general secretary, is likely to support Prakash in the ‘ticket-war’, although Prakash’s chances getting the nomination is very bleak.

The race is still more severe because the NC expects to win from that constituency only.

(Suryadaya weekly, Thursday, October 7)