Congress regional conventions disrupted by disputes in Sunsari, Morang, Sindhupalchok

Disputes broke out at regional conventions held Tuesday under Nepali Congress's 15th General Convention in Sunsari-4, Morang-1 and Sindhupalchok-2.

In Sunsari-4, a clash broke out between supporters of regional chair candidates Gaffar Ansari and Manoj Saha while voting was underway at Laukahi City Hall in Koshi Rural Municipality. The election process was halted for some time because of the clash. Incumbent regional chair Ayub Ansari alleged that fake ballot papers were found, while the Gaffar camp accused him of trying to disrupt the election by kicking the ballot box. The District Police Office, Sunsari, said voting resumed after the situation eased.

At the convention in Letang, Morang-1, regional chair aspirant Devraj Chamling tried to speak from the stage after a consensus list of names was read out, and then scuffled with district chair Digbahadur Limbu. Cadres present intervened and separated the two. Chamling had reportedly also signed a consensus paper on Monday evening to make Arjun Kumar Tumruk the regional chair, but he wrote on social media that he had not withdrawn his claim.

In Sindhupalchok-2, the election committee postponed voting after fake ballot papers were found. There, Bagmati Province lawmaker Krishna Kumar Tamang and Pasang Dong are contesting. The committee said voting will not begin until both sides reach agreement. A video showing a leader kicking the ballot box has circulated on social media.