JANAKPURDHAM, Jan 29: Dhanusha Constituency-3 is not only politically significant but also culturally and educationally important. The area hosts major national-level projects, including Rajarshi Janak University, urban development initiatives funded by the Asian Development Bank, the Janakpur–Jatahi–Ayodhya six-lane road, and the Janakpur–Jaynagar railway line. Politically, the Nepali Congress (NC) has traditionally maintained a strong presence in the constituency.
Dhanusha-3 covers 16 out of 25 wards of Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City, as well as wards in Nagarain Municipality, Bideha Municipality, and the rural municipalities of Mukhiyapatti Musaharniya and Dhanauji. The area is predominantly populated by the Baishya community, including subgroups such as Teli, Sudi, Kanu, Kalwar, Rauniyar, Kasera, Kathwania, Sunar, Laheri, and Thatheri.
This election sees a high-profile contest between former ministers Bimalendra Nidhi and Julikumari Mahato, both running from the same constituency. They had also contested against each other in the Second Constituent Assembly elections of 2070 BS, when Nidhi narrowly defeated Mahato by 1,492 votes, securing 15,031 votes to Mahato’s 13,539. With both vying for the same seat in the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election on March 5, predicting the outcome has become a challenge.
Dhanusha-3, always a focal point in Madhesh politics, now presents a mix of seasoned leaders and new faces. The decision by emerging parties to field fresh candidates has added a new dimension to the electoral battle. Parties like the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) could challenge the traditional dominance of NC and CPN-UML, while established party candidates continue to rely on their strong organizational structure and personal influence to secure votes.
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RSP has fielded Manish Jha, a resident, aiming to capitalize on growing voter disillusionment with older parties. Locals have noted that rallies organized by RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Shah (Balen) in Janakpur on January 19 created a positive buzz among voters. Jha hopes to leverage the “Balen factor” and the wave of new politics to challenge experienced candidates from the traditional parties. Geographically and demographically, Dhanusha-3 continues to hold strategic significance.
According to the Election Office, there are around 125,000 registered voters in Dhanusha-3, with 155 polling stations established for the election. A look at historical results since the 2046 BS People’s Movement, which restored democracy, shows that voters in this constituency have mostly favored NC candidates. Out of seven elections, NC candidates have won five times, while the Rastriya Janata Party (RJP) and UML have each claimed victory once.
In the 2048 BS HoR election, Ananda Prasad Dhungana (NC) won with 14,311 votes. In the 2051 BS mid-term elections, Dhungana again emerged victorious with 17,429 votes, defeating Bholaprasad Sah (UML), who received 15,133 votes, and Hem Bahadur Malla (RPP), who got 12,937 votes. In the 2056 BS HoR election, Dhungana won again with 15,026 votes, while Malla received 13,736 votes, Ananda Yadav (UML) 10,256 votes, and Raghubir Mahaseth (CPN-Male) 9,974 votes.
The 2064 BS Constituent Assembly elections saw Bimalendra Nidhi (NC) elected with 15,582 votes. His nearest competitor, Haridev Mandal (UML), received 9,936 votes, while Amresh Narayan Jha (Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party) got 6,909 votes. In the 2070 BS Second Constituent Assembly elections, Nidhi again defeated Julikumari Mahato (UML), winning with 15,031 votes to Mahato’s 13,539, while Haridev Mandal (Unified CPN-Maoist) secured 2,523 votes.
After the constitution was promulgated in 2072 BS, the 2074 HoR election saw Rajendra Mahato (RJP Nepal) win with 30,750 votes, narrowly defeating Nidhi, who received 27,847 votes. In the 2079 BS HoR election, Julikumari Mahato (UML) emerged victorious with 33,388 votes, ahead of Anilkumar Jha of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP), Nepal, who received 23,686 votes.
Local elections during the same period indicate a vibrant political contest at the grassroots level. In Mukhiyapatti Musaharniya Rural Municipality, Jaykumar Yadav Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal (JSP-Nepal) was elected chairperson with 5,410 votes, defeating Rambabu Yadav (NC) with 2,455 votes and Sushil Kumar Yadav (UML) with 1,768 votes.
Out of six wards, JSP won four, NC one, and CPN (Unified Socialist) one. In Nagarain Municipality, Binaykumar Yadav was elected mayor with 5,556 votes, narrowly defeating Rambabu Panjiyar (UML), who received 5,514 votes, while Rajesh Chaudhary (LSP) got 2,758 votes and Mahesh Mandal (JSP) 443 votes. Of the nine wards, NC won four, UML four, and LSP one.
In Dhanauji Rural Municipality, Rajkumar Sah (NC) was elected chairperson with 2,262 votes, ahead of Jibendra Jha (LSP) with 2,163 votes and Rambabu Sah (UML) with 1,495 votes. NC won four of the five wards, and LSP won one. In Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Manojkumar Sah (NC) was elected mayor. NC had formed an alliance with JSP for this election, agreeing that JSP would field the mayoral candidate and NC the deputy mayoral candidate.
However, Manojkumar ran as a rebel candidate, defying the party decision, and won with 13,465 votes. His nearest competitor, Lalkishor, received 5,194 votes, while Manoj Chaudhary (LSP) secured 5,360 votes and Shivshankar Sah (UML) 9,532 votes. Out of 16 wards, NC won seven, UML five, three were independent, and one LSP.
The latest parliamentary and local election results suggest a tight contest between UML and NC in the upcoming HoR election. However, with the changing political landscape and voters showing interest in new alternatives, Dhanusha-3 is set to witness a dynamic and potentially unpredictable electoral battle.
