UML Withdraws Support for PLP in Rukum East

The Nepal Communist Party (UML) has withdrawn its support for the Progressive Democratic Party (PLP) candidate in Rukum East.

According to a previous agreement, the UML had agreed to support PLP's Janardhan Sharma in Rukum West and Sandeep Pun in Rukum East. However, following a new agreement, the support previously extended to Pun has been retracted.

Lilamani Gautam is the UML candidate in Rukum East. The withdrawal of support occurred after both parties revised the agreement made on February 1, 2026.

The new agreement was signed by UML Vice Chairman Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' and Progressive Democratic Party Chairperson Durga Sob. Under this new arrangement, the PLP will support UML candidates in the districts of Humla, Jumla, and Mugu in Karnali Province, as well as in the districts of the former Rapti Zone.

Prachanda, the coordinator of the Nepal Communist Party, is a candidate in Rukum East. There are 11 candidates in the electoral fray, including Kusum Devi Thapa from the Nepali Congress and Lakhan Kumar Thapa from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).