The Nepali Congress has warned of taking stringent action against the leaders and cadres who have filed their independent candidacies against the official candidates of the party in the local level elections slated for May 13.

Issuing a statement on Friday, party Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel directed the rebel candidates to the withdraw from the local elections race and support the official candidates of the party.  

He warned of removing candidates, proposers and supporters from the general membership if nominations are not withdrawn within the given timeframe.

The party has given time till 5 pm today, the deadline set by the Election Commission, to withdraw rebel candidacies.

The party issued such a statement after the leaders and cadres filed independent candidacies against the official candidates in various municipalities and rural municipalities.

Meanwhile, the ruling coalition is holding a meeting at Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s official residence in Baluwatar to discuss the rebel candidacies.