KATHMANDU, Nov 5: The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) seeks to continue the winning streak, while the opposition parties hope to cash in on 'the waning popularity' of the left government as the nation goes to by-polls later this month.
By-elections are being held for 52 vacant positions including a seat for the federal parliament and three seats for provincial assemblies on November 30.
The NCP and Nepali Congress (NC) have projected themselves as the front-runners as most of the constituencies appear headed for three-sided race alongside regional parties.
NCP cultural department chief Mani Thapa said that the party was headed for a landslide victory like in the three tiers of elections. He said that there was still huge support for the government due to a lot of good works initiated by the government in front of infrastructural development and good governance.
By-elections a popularity test for political parties
“Furthermore, there would be the synergy effect from the recently concluded merger between then Maoists and UML,” said Thapa.
NC spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma said that his party has significant advantage in most of the seats due to various factors including the government's waning popularity. The main opposition has long attacked the government for promoting corruption and attacking civil liberties.
Leaders from both sides, however, agree on one thing: the by-election will be as much about the narrative as it will be about the test of Oli government's popularity.
Facing growing pressure for failing to deliver on poll promises, NCP has been highlighting its positive works and avoiding the controversies. NC and other opposition parties are spearheading expose campaigns, pointing out to the failure of the Oli government in upholding the rule of law, promote good governance and expedite development works.
Lacking in promising pitch for the voters, NCP, which had half of the seats going to by-elections including a parliamentary seat and two provincial assembly seats, has tactically fielded widows eyeing sympathy votes, while forging alliance with left parties in other seats.
NCP has decided to field Bidya Bhattarai in Kaski-2, a seat that has remained vacant since her husband and Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari died in a chopper crash in Taplejung in February, and Bimala Oli in Dang-3 B where she hopes to take forward the legacy of her late husband Uttar Kumar. The party has decided to support Rastriya Janamorcha in Baglung 2 B.
NC may have recovered from the stinging defeat it faced two years ago but the party stares an uphill road to turn the tide in its favor without substantive agendas. The growing factionalism like always poses a significant challenge to the party. The party is yet to finalize its candidates for the post.
Factional infighting also remains a challenge for NCP and other parties. NCP Bhaktapur party office has remained padlocked since the party headquarters picked Devi Prasad Dhakal as the party's candidate from Bhaktapur 1 (A).
