19 May, Nawalparasi: Laxmi Pandey has reportedly become the first woman to win rural municipality chairperson in Nepal’s history of local level elections.

Pandey of Nepali Congress defeated her nearest contender CPN (UML)’s candidate Megh Bahadur Pulami with a narrow margin to claim chairperson in Hupsekot rural municipality in the district. She garnered 4,592 votes while her closest rival Pulami got 4,358 votes.

Born in Bakamlang-3 in the district on October 24, 1969 to father Yadunath and mother Chhabi Maya, she started her political career since her school days having become the member of NC’s student wing Nepal Students Union and Nepal Women Association in between the period of her life so far.

Having completed her School Leaving Certificate examination in 2045 B.S., she graduated plus two level from Waling campus in 2049 B.S before starting her Bachelor’s level at Lumbini campus.

Most interestingly, she dumped her permanent teaching job at Deurali Primary School for the post at local level polls. Pandey, 47, has a husband, three sons and a daughter.

After emerging victorious, elated Laxmi made commitments to make the village from where she won a model village. “I am committed to make this village a model one and I will do my part. I will focus on education, economic and tourism development in the village,” she said. RSS