Kathmandu (Pahichan) March 9 – There has been representation of gender and sexual minority in the Naya Shakti led by Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai. Pinky Gurung has been nominated as a member of Central Interim Council of Naya Shakti.

Gurung, Chairman of Blue Diamond Society (BDS), is working to ensure the rights of gender and sexual minority. Naya Shakti has proved itself as an inclusive political party providing space to this community. Earlier, Bhattarai had said that his political party would be near to this community. Gurung expressed willingness to become active in politics through joining Naya Shakti. Gurung said she will be active for the development of country through political this campaign.

“Other political parties only provided assurances to get the vote. Bhattarai’s Naya Shakti however encouraged us providing space at its interim council,” Gurung said adding that along with political campaign she would focus to establish the rights of the minority community. Earlier, CPN (unified) has appointed Sunil Babu Pant as its Central Committee member. Pant also became member of first Constituent Assembly (CA).

Similarly, Bhumika Shrestha, Parina Chaudhary, Bhakti Shah, Ishan Regmi are active in NC politics. Shrestha was General Convention representative in 12^th General Convention. Before second CA election, CPN-UML also welcomed members of this community in the party.

 Similarly Sandhya Lama,Anika Rana, Manoj Shahi are affiliated with Madhes Samata Party, Rastriya Janmukti Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal respectively. During the Maoist insurgency, some members of this community were affiliated to Maoist party but they were sidelined after joining peace process.

Pant has congratulated for providing space in interim council of Naya Shakti. “It is a matter of happiness, other parties should follow the suit,” Pant said. He urged Gurung to work for the country as well as for the welfare of this community.