Former Nepal PM Baburam Bhattarai will not contest general elections

Baburam Bhattarai, former Prime Minister and a key architect of the Maoist insurgency that lasted for a decade since 1996, on Monday announced that he would not be contesting from Gorkha— a constituency he represented for three consecutive terms.

Dr Bhattarai made the announcement on Twitter, but clarified that it does not mean he is retiring. He said he will be available for the people and involved in all the initiatives in the area.

Bhattarai had left the Maoist Chief Puhspa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and aligned with Madhes centric parties three years ago, but had come back to the Maoist fold two weeks back.