By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec. 21: Nine prominent women leaders have been elected members of the Central Working Committee of ruling Nepali Congress. Among them is Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, spouse of party president and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba who got the third highest votes of 2,536 under the woman open category.

Dr. Dila Sangraula (Panta) secured the highest number 2,885 votes followed by Pushpa Bhusal who secured 2,715 votes.
According to Nepali Congress Central Election Committee secretary Keshab Rijal, six other woman leaders elected to the CWC from the same category in the 14th general convention of the party include Ambika Basnet (2,339 votes), Ishwari Neupane (2,259), Sarita Prasai (2,096), Rama Koirala Paudel (1,858), Shushila Dhakal Acharya (1,814) and Rangamati Shahi (1,789).

Altogether 30 candidates were in fray for the nine seats of the central members in the woman open category. Meanwhile, Pradip Kumar Sunuwar of Okhaldhunga has been elected as a central committee member from the minority group by obtaining 2,171 votes, according to the election results announced by the Nepali Congress Central Election Committee Monday evening. Of the five candidates vying for the single seat under the minority group, Tikaram Lepcha of Ilam was his closest rival who got only 1,026 votes.