Artists protest Nepal Banda at the time of election

Nepal closure called by the faction of CPN (Maoist) led by Baidhya and 33 other parties has caused problem in all aspects of day-to-day life in Nepal. Some Nepali artists have expressed their dissatisfaction on forceful closure and violence.

Comedy artists Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya wrote an open letter to stop this type of nonsense at the time of election.  MaHa have told that they are against any forms of violence.

 

Actress Priyanka Karki shared the following photo expressing satisfaction on seeing a couple of four-wheeler vehicles and few motorcycles on the street. She called for people to protest such forceful closures.

Actress Keki Adhikari has also asked people to vote in the election and protest the forceful closure in Nepal.

Actress Komal Oli shared a closure protest banner and asked people to defy Nepal Banda.

Some actors don’t know about their party memberships

The news of more than 150 artists joining Nepali Congress came by surprise to many. It was particularly surprising to those who heard their own name in the news. For example, actress Mala Subba was surprised on her name included in the list of artists joining the party.

It turned out – the artists were invited for a tea party at the residence of the party president. All those who attended the party were told to have joined the party. Actor Aayush Rijal told that he was in the residence of Sushil Koirala only for the tea party. He clarified, he has no intention of joining any political parties. Aayush told that he was invited by director Suresh Darpan Pokharel for the tea party. It was Pokharel who told about the 150 artists joining Nepali Congress.

Actor and director Ramesh Budhathoki also claimed not to have joined Nepali Congress. He admitted to be supporting the party but, he isn’t a formal member of the party. Actor Jiwan Luitel has the similar statement. Sctress Jharana Thapa is currently in Europe tour, she is also told to have joined the party.

Aayush Rijal’s statement however conflicts with the following photo that shows the banner stating – Artist’s Party Entry Program. There is no mention of tea party in the banner.

Actors Binod Shrestha and Shyam Aryal have also stated that they haven’t joined the party.

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Karishma Manandhar dared Nepal Banda and drove to Pashupatinath Temple

If you had seen the actress Karishma Manandhar in Pashupati on the first day of Nepal Banha in Pashupati, you might not have recognized her. Wearing blue kurta and with head covered by the shawl and eyes covered by big sun glasses, she would be missed for any normal woman visiting the temple.

The big issue was – Karishma drove all the way from her home in Godawari to Pashupati on the day the Maoist Baidhya Faction called for Nepal closure. Although there were security presence and some vehicles were running in the street, there were a lot who didn’t risk driving on the day.

While other artists complained about the closure and asked everybody else to defy the closure, Karishma is the only actress who we know has defied the closure.

Another actress, Keki Adhikari, was vocal in expressing her dissatisfaction about the closure and asked people to defy the closure. It is not known if she herself had defied the closure or not.

Actress Rekha Thapa told that she stayed at home on the day and wrote some articles. 

(credit and a couple of more photos in xnepali)

Rekha Thapa writes articles on 'Nepal Banda' day

On the Nepal Banda day actress Rekha Thapa stayed at home and wrote some articles. Rekha has recently returned from CPN (Maoists) Mechi Mahakali Awareness Campaign. She also participated in the Vote for Women Candidate campaign in Kathmandu.

Rekha says, she likes writing in her leisure time. This time she wrote an article on women and religious matters.

Rekha lives with her mother in Ambe Apartments in Gaurighat.

Actress Rekha Thapa asks to Vote for Women Leaders

In a program organized in Tundikhel Open Theater in Kathmandu various women leaders in the upcoming election were present to tell why they need to be elected. Various leaders from different parties and independent candidates were present in the ceremony.

Actress Rekha Thapa was invited as a guest in the program. She went to the program accompanied by her mother Saraswoti Thapa.

About 80 our of 101 female candidates in Kathmandu valley had attended the program organized by an independent women’s right activist.

Rekha has been active in politics after joining CPN (Maoist) earlier this year. Although the party had selected her to represent the party as a candidate in the election, she couldn’t participate because of a mistake in the voter’s list.

Rekha however has been actively participating in the promotion of CPM (Maoist) by attending election campaigns and being featuring in promotion videos.

Here are some photos from the event.

A group of film artists join Nepali Congress party

On Saturday morning some 150 artists joined Nepali Congress party. In a program held at the residence of the party president Sushil Koirala in Mahargunj, the artists were welcomed in the party.

The artists include actress Jharana Thapa, Rupa Rana, Melina Manandhar, actors Jiwan Luitel, Dhiren Shakya, Aayush Rijal, Mukesh Dhakal, and Niraj Baral. Directors Ramesh Budhathoki, Suresh Darpan Pokharel and Suraj Subba joined the party in the program. Cinematographer Purosottam Pradhan, photographer Rajiv Shrestha, singer Prakash Ojha also joined the party in the program. Other film artists include Santu Tamang, Rameshowr Karki, Prabhu Samsher JBR, Shyam Rai were also among the 150 artist in the program.

After joining the party, the artists have expressed their support to the party in helping it win the upcoming election.

After the incident, almost all of the artists in the Nepali film industry have joined political parties. Many artists had previously joined CPN (Maoist) and some had joined CPN (UML) in different programs.

People from Kathmandu Panga are against of Prachanda's election campaign

People from Kathmandu Panga go against Prachanda's election campaign. Prachanda did not make his public speech because police could not control the situation. Public made him run away from the program.

#Source: Setopati

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Rekha Explains why she choose politics and why specially CPN Maoist Party

Although she has a very good acting career ahead, actress Rekha Thapa has taken a huge risk by entering the party politics. She had tried her best in making full use of the newly gained political power by trying to get appointed in  the Film Development Board and getting elected for the party. But, both her efforts had failed. Although she is not competing in election, she has promised to help the party, CPN Maoist to win the election.

After Rekha joined the party, Rekha’s fans are confused on why she has risked her career. Joining a party alienate all her fans affiliated to other parties. That is not something a celebrity can afford to risk on.

Why did you choose politics?

I could have served the society and country alone. But, there is a high chance that the sole voice might not be heard. In politics, your voice get some authenticity and it gets stronger. I had tried doing things alone but that didn’t help me much in helping the people and country much. A true political power can change every subjects. In political parties, we can collectively address any social problems. I needed that collective effort and I found that in politics.

Why CPN Maoist? Why not other parties ?

I had always been influenced by the principles of CPN Maoist. I had been revolutionist since  my child. My progressive thoughts and views seem to be closer to the party. During the 10-years-long Maoist war, I used to see the sketch of Prachanda and I used to study their principles. After a long analysis and deep study I have realized that my principles resonate with the party.

There are a lot of people who don’t like CPN Maoist as a party. In politics it is perfectly normal to have varying thoughts. It is same if I choose Nepali Congress, CPN UML or RPP party. They all have people of rival thoughts. The wounds of people’s war are still fresh. Although I don’t know much about the ancient politics, I have made an informed decision based on what I have seen and learnt for my life.

What is your political background ?

I am a sole warrior. I don’t want to undermine my political consciousness by pointing to the person around me. I believe, my identity should be my own. I can say my ancestors were the offspring of Bhimsen Thapa and that might be true, but I want to be identified by my own name. So, I am an individual fighter.

You can seek the political background of Prachanda or Baburam Bhattarai or Madhav Kumar Nepal or B P Koirala and find none. They were sole fighters and I want to be like them. I don’t want anybody else to be the benefactor of my political quest.

How can you keep a balance between politics, social work and acting?

All three sectors are related and fulfill each other’s purpose. Serving a society was a social worker and serving a country as a politician are the same. Although people say that politics is a game, I don’t think so. A good social worker can be a good politician. I wanted to serve the people, not rule them. Most of the leaders of our time have become rulers rather than serving people. That is the reason politics got the bad name. 

Rekha Thapa not in the CPN Maoist election nomination list

UPDATE: Rekha has told that her name was replaced by that of Baliram when the party realized that Rekha’s name wasn’t in the voter’s list. The Election Commission requires that the election candidate should be in the voters list. In the last election, Rekha had voted from Kathmandu constituency no. 7. Political Observers however frown on parties making such a fundamental mistake in selecting their candidates. Original post continues …

It seems, the political parties don’t need artists to represent them in the election. After actor Bhuwan KC was removed from the list of CPN UML nomination list, actress Rekha Thapa was also removed from CPN Maoist nomination list in the last minute.

Earlier, the CPN Maoist Parsa district committee had recommended Rekha to participate in the election from Parsa 1. Rekha’s recommendation was disputed among the long time party workers. They demanded the election ticket to be given to more credible party worker.

In the final list of the election candidates, Baliram Shah is representing Parsa 1. Both Rekha and Bhuwan KC had recently joined their respective parties (Rekha had joined the party in May).

Rekha Thapa responds to questions on her latest fund raising effort

In a Facebook post, actress Rekha Thapa responds to the criticism she received on her latest fund raising to support Ganesh Bishowkarma’s family.

While she is promoting her movie by acting in a comedy serial ‘Meri Bassai’ she is also devoted in social works.

Some questions Rekha Thapa stated and answered are:

1. Rekha could have donated the money instead of asking others.

The second question is related to why Ganesh? Others die too but nobody raised funds to help them.

And, the third question Rekha answered is about the election and her participation in politics. Rekha tried to separate her social work and politics.

Both Bhuwan KC and Rekha Thapa removed from the election candidates list

After protests from the party workers, Bhuwan KC was removed from the CPN UML election candidate list. Although he was stated to represent party in Kathmandu constituency 1 in the initial list, he was removed after protest. In the final list, Bidhya Neupane will represent the party in the constituency.

In the similar manner, actress Rekha Thapa was also removed from the final candidate list of the CPN Maoist. When Rekha’s attempt to get ticket in Kathmandu failed, she was successful in getting the recommendation from Parsa district. But, in the final list she was replaced by Baliram Shah in Parsa 1 constituency.

A lot of artists had joined party politics in hopes of active participation. But, after these incidents, interests of artists in party politics is sure to wane. Artists have a huge public backing and ignoring them in election can have counter productive outcomes.

The real impact of these incidents will however be seen only after the election.

19 Indian women got Nepali citizenship cards: VDC secy

Citizenship is referred to the identity of the nation’s citizen. But here the news sounds so awkward that before a week 19 Indian women got the Nepali citizenship illegally from Morang.

Hari Prasad Pokharel Secretary of VDC replied that those women got it from a camp of integrated mobile service through fake document which state that they are unmarried. However the truth is that 5 years ago those women were already married to Indian men. Pokharel also added that he has suggested District Administration Office to take strict action for the guilty. Tara Nath Gautam, Chief District Officer has been selected as the investigation leader for this case. The names are Nasima Khatum Bachuni Chaudhary Amita Kumari Runa Kumari Mahato Saharuddin Khatum Samina Khatum Nirasha Kumari Mahato Sonu Khatum He also said that their citizenship will very soon be cancelled. Nepal Police also arrested 3 persons among which 2 were Indian citizens who were trying to get Nepali citizenship from the similar camp on Thursday from VDC-6 Mrigaulia.

Baidhya Maoist cadres have torched a bus in Dhulikhel

Baidhya Maoist cadres have also torched a bus in Dhulikhel. The bus, with registration number Ba 2 Kha 5672, was en-route from Kathmandu to Melamchi. Although there have been reports that the bus was lit before the passengers had a chance to get off the bus, Dhulikhel’s CDO Durga Bhandari confirms that all the passengers had gotten off the bus before the fire.