Nepal's youngest woman candidate files papers for local polls

Kathmandu: Ranju Darshana, a 21-year-old Nepalese woman, on Tuesday became the youngest and only female candidate vying for Kathmandu's mayoral post.

Darshana filed her papers for the May 14 local polls, the first to be held in over two decades, from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).

Darshana was nominated by Bibeksheel Nepali Party after she expressed her interest in contesting for mayoral post based on the party's 'open candidacy policy' last month.

She is the only lady vying for the mayoral post in the upcoming local polls. The party has claimed that she is the youngest candidate in Nepal's election history.

"Acknowledging the role of young new generation to fulfil the dream of this generation in solving the underlying local problems, we nominate Darshana," Bibeksheel Nepali Chairman Ujjwal Thapa had told 'The Kathmandu Post.'

"We also realise that the city like Kathmandu requires a highly capable team to lead and we have made necessary preparations towards that end," Thapa said.

Born in Kathmandu, Darshana is pursuing her Bachelor's in Development Studies.

"I expect your support and assistance in establishing Kathmandu as the world's most beautiful city. We can together break the old political syndicate in Kathmandu," Darshana said in the statement.

The first phase of local elections will be held on May 14 while the second phase has been scheduled for June 14.