Noted actors, singers contesting local polls

By Renuka Dhakal

Kathmandu, Apr. 29: A few artistes from the Nepali entertainment industry are also contesting the upcoming local level elections. They have registered their candidacies for various positions.  Some of them are party candidates and others independent candidates. 

Two of the 56 mayoral candidates filing their nominations in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City are celebrities while a candidate for the position of deputy mayor is a former beauty queen. 

There are other artistes who have registered their nominations for the post of mayor, deputy mayor, ward chairs and ward members in different local levels. 

Popular rapper Balen Shah has registered his nomination for the post of mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). He is contesting as an independent candidate. 

Shah, who is a structural engineer by profession, is in race with promises to improve the capital city’s education, health, physical infrastructure, public transportation and waste management. 

Likewise, veteran actor of Nepali film and drama Madan Das Shrestha is also vying to lead Kathmandu Metropolitan City and has registered his nomination from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Shrestha, who has dozens of films and plays to his credit, is also a noted social activist of Kathmandu. 

Actor Raj Ghimire is contesting for the post of chairman of Godawari Municipality Ward No. 3. He is a candidate from the CPN (Maoist Centre).

He has done the films like Chapali Height and Vigilante and has acted in many music videos.  

Likewise, winner of the crown Miss Newa 2011 Sunita Dangol has registered her candidacy for the post of deputy mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City from the CPN-UML. She had previously announced her plan to run for mayor independently but later decided to become the candidate of deputy mayor from the CPN (UML).  

Comedian Dinesh Kafle has become the candidate for the post of ward chairman of Sindhuli’s Kamalamai Municipality-8 from the Maoist Centre.

Singer Tank Timilsina has registered his candidacy for the post of mayor of Panchadewal Binayak Municipality of Achham.  He is contesting the poll as an independent candidate.   

Likewise, comedian Kishor Bhandari (Dittha Saheb) has registered his candidacy for the post of ward member of Tarkeshwar Municipality-2 in Kathmandu from the ruling Nepali Congress. 

Actor Rabindra Khadka had also announced his candidacy for the post of Mayor of Panauti Municipality in Kavre a few weeks ago. However, he did not file his nomination at the last hour stating that his candidacy was ignored by 

the party.

 Khadka, who served as the mayor of Panauti during the rule of king Gyanendra, has, of late, joined the CPN-UML.