Furore over use of Indian vehicles for Nepal polls

The widespread use of India-registered vehicles in Nepal's Nov 19 constituent assembly election campaigning, particularly in the southern plains close to the Indian border, has created a furore in this country.

Against the directives of local administration and district security officials not to use Indian number-plate bearing vehicles, candidates and political parties, mostly of Madhes-based parties in Nepal, have been using such vehicles .

Using Indian vehicles for any kind of election purpose is against the election code of conduct of this Himalayan nation.

To avoid any untoward incident, the Nawalprasai district administration has asked parties and candidates not to use such Indian vehicles and instead get temporary registration from security agencies.

"No one has lodged any complaint against the use of Indian vehicles," Narahari Ghimire, district election officer of Nawalparasi district, however, said.

Use of India-registered vehicles during election campaigning is seen as a matter of prestige for many candidates in the southern plains of Nepal.

A leader from Madhes-based parties told IANS that they were compelled to hire Indian vehicles because these were cheaper than Nepali vehicles. He said some candidates were using their relatives' vehicles for campaigning.

In Kapilavastu district, two former ministers, Dan Bahadur Chaudary and Ishwor Dayal Mishra, were found plying Indian vehicles. Later, the Kapilavastu district administration barred the use of Indian vehicles and asked political parties and candidates not to violate the election code of conduct.

According to an order, border security agencies would issue temporary permission and green number plates in case of use of such vehicles inside Nepal. Around 17 southern districts of the country share the border with India.

After the rampant use of India-registered vehicles, Nepal's Bardiya district administration banned the use of such vehicles for election campaigning.

Chief district officer Man Bahadur B.K. said the ban was applicable only for election-related activities as a security measure. Vehicles with Indian numbers were otherwise free to carry tourists and goods, he said.

Due to the open border, it is easy to hire India-registered vehicles in Nepal.

--Indo-Asian News Service

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