KATHMANDU, Jan 22: With the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, Sudurpaschim Province has emerged as a crowded electoral battleground, with 210 candidates—both party-affiliated and independent—vying for seats across its 16 constituencies.
According to the Election Commission (EC), candidates from major political parties including the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, Nepali Communist Party (NCP), Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), along with independents, have entered the race. Among the districts, Kailali tops the list with the highest number of contenders—78 candidates across five constituencies.
Kailali
In Kailali–1, the contest features Dwarika Prasad Neupane (UML), Jankaraj Chaudhary (NC), Ramlal Dangaura (NCP), and Komal Gyawali (RSP). In the 2079 BS election, Ranjita Shrestha of the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) was elected from this constituency. She has since merged with the NCP. Resham Chaudhary, who recently formed a new party named NUP–Nepal, has also filed his candidacy from the same constituency.
In Kailali–2, Surya Bahadur Thapa (UML), Bharat Bahadur Swar (NC), Nanda Bahadur Saud (NCP), and KP Khanal (RSP) are in the fray. Veteran leader Mohan Singh Rathore is contesting as an independent, while Patiram Chaudhary is the candidate from Resham Chaudhary–led NUP–Nepal.
In Kailali–3, Gauri Shankar Tharu (UML), Bhim Baduwal (NC), Birbhan Chaudhary (NCP), and Jagat Prasad Joshi (RSP) are competing, along with Bikram Chaudhary from NUP–Nepal.
In Kailali–4, UML Deputy General Secretary Lekh Raj Bhatta is contesting against Gorkha Bahadur Bista (Anand) of the NC, Hareram Chaudhary of the NCP, and Khemraj Koirala of the RSP.
In Kailali–5, candidates include Naranarayan Shah Manu (NC), Yagya Raj Dhungana (UML), Prem Ale (NCP), and Anand Chand (RSP).
NC Province 1 Election: Five candidates from Taplejung
Kanchanpur
Across Kanchanpur’s three constituencies, 55 candidates have filed nominations. In Kanchanpur–1, Tara Lama Tamang (NCP), Gopi Upadhyay (NC), Bina Magar (NCP), and Janak Singh Dhami (RSP) are contesting.
In Kanchanpur–2, the race includes NP Saud (NC), Bachan Bahadur Singh (UML), Madhav Pant (NCP), and Deepak Bohara (RSP).
In Kanchanpur–3, candidates are Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatta (UML), Hari Bohara (NC), Man Bahadur Sunar (NCP), and Gyanendra Mahata (RSP). NC leader Ramesh Lekhak, who won from this constituency in the 2079 BS election, has not been granted a ticket this time.
Dadeldhura
In Dadeldhura, which has a single constituency, 13 candidates have filed nominations. Notably, NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba—who has won all seven parliamentary elections since 2048 BS and served as prime minister five times—is not contesting this election.
The NC has fielded young leader Nain Singh Mahara, while former National Assembly member Chakra Bahadur Snehi is contesting from the UML. Mansingh Mal (NCP) and Tara Joshi (RSP) are also in the race.
Baitadi
In Baitadi, another single-constituency district, 12 candidates are contesting. The main contenders include Damodar Bhandari (UML), Chatur Bahadur Chand (NC), Parmananda Bhatta (NCP), and Harimohan Bhandari (RSP).
Darchula
In Darchula, 11 candidates have entered the race, including Ganesh Thagunna (UML), Dharmananda Joshi (NC), Laxman Datta Joshi (NCP), and Rajesh Singh Samant (RSP).
Doti
In Doti, nine candidates have filed nominations. The key contenders are Bharat Bahadur Khadka (NC), Deepak Dhami (UML), former chief minister Trilochan Bhatta (NCP), and Narendra Khadka (RSP).
Achham
In Achham’s two constituencies, 17 candidates are competing. In Achham–1, Deepak Saud (UML), Bharat Bahadur Swar (NC), Bhim Rawal (NCP), and Om Prakash Rawal (RSP) are in the race.
In Achham–2, candidates include Yagya Bahadur Bogati (UML), Pushpa Bahadur Shah (NC), Bal Bahadur Kunwar (NCP), and Bhoop Dev Shah (RSP).
Bajura
In Bajura, eight candidates have filed nominations, including Lal Bahadur Thapa (UML), Jankaraj Giri (NC), Prakash Bahadur Shah (NCP), and Hemraj Thapa (RSP).
Bajhang
In Bajhang, which has a single constituency, seven candidates are contesting. The main candidates are Ain Mahar (UML), Prakash Rasaili, deputy general secretary of the NC, Min Bahadur Kunwar (NCP), and Shailesh Kumar Singh (RSP).
