ILLAM, April 4 -- The CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) have reached an agreement to field a common candidate in the upcoming by-elections of Ilam Constituency-2 scheduled for May 28. Both parties have pledged their support for the UML candidate, Suhang Nembang.

Dhirendra Sharma Raman, a member of the Maoist Center's Central Committee and a recommended candidate by the party, confirmed to Republica that they have been directed by the party leadership to support the UML candidate.

"It appears the top leadership of both parties have reached an agreement, and we have received instructions from the central leadership to back the UML candidate in Ilam-2," Sharma stated. "The party's decision will be duly executed."

The Maoist Center's Distric...