KATHMANDU, Nov 27: Local level by-elections are being held for 44 posts on December 1, with Kirtipur in Kathmandu drawing special attention.
The by-election is being held in Kirtipur to fill the post vacated after the death of Rajkumar Nakarmi of the Nepali Congress (NC) who was elected in the last election. A total of 20 candidates have registered their candidacies in Kirtipur, 11 from political parties and nine as independents.
Among the 20 candidates, four are in the spotlight: NC candidate Krishna Man Dangol, CPN-UML candidate Dr Surendra Manandhar, CPN (Maoist Center) candidate Prof Dr Shiva Sharan Maharjan, and independent candidate Rajman Manav.
They are actively campaigning, engaging in door-to-door programs. With only five days left for the election, the candidates are meeting voters from morning to night in an attempt to secure their support.
NC candidate Dangol expressed confidence in securing victory."This time too, we will win. Voters will make me win,” he said. Referring to NC’s win in the previous election, he added, "We have the idea of serving the people by winning, and the people have also made promises."
When asked about the strength of his opponents, Dangol said, "Yes, I have many friends. But victory will be mine. I am confident of it. The people's inclination is more towards me and my party, the Nepali Congress." Dangol said, "We won the last election, and we will win again. It is our responsibility to continue the work."
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Meanwhile, UML candidate Surendra Manandhar is equally optimistic. He said that the action plan will deliver visible results within a month.
"The problems here, such as drinking water, roads, and education, are well-known. There is a plan to address these and provide quick results," he said. "Let me assure you that within a month, there will be no potholes on the roads of Kirtipur."
Manandhar shared his lifelong aspiration to make Kirtipur recognized and said, "Now, I have a comprehensive plan to work economically, socially, educationally, and physically in a short time."
Maoist Center candidate Prof Dr Maharjan claimed the people of Kirtipur are seeking change and looking towards him. According to Maharjan, residents have expressed dissatisfaction with repeated wins by NC and UML, stating that these parties have failed to meet their expectations.
"Voters have said they want to see the Maoists once. Therefore, my victory this time is almost certain," Maharjan said.
Despite the Maoists being the third-largest political force in Kirtipur, behind NC and UML, Maharjan said that voters will prioritize individual candidates over party organization this time.
"The people will choose me. Every voter I meet during door-to-door campaigns says the same thing. I am confident," he said.
Independent candidate Rajman Manav is enthusiastic, especially after receiving support from Dharan Sub-metropolitan City Mayor Harka Sampang.
During his door-to-door campaign, Manav said, "The people want me to be like Harka Sampang. I aspire to fulfill their aspirations and need their support."
Manav claimed positive voter feedback, highlighting his long-standing commitment to cleanliness in the community.
"I have been cleaning here since I was 11 years old, and the people appreciate it. I will continue this work. I’ve shared this vision with them, and they have given me their best wishes," he said, “Now, I aim to address not only physical garbage but societal issues as well. Society must be cleaned, and I am confident people will support me on this journey. This time, the victory will be mine."
Who will win?
The NC and UML remain the top two parties in Kirtipur. In the previous election, Nepali Congress's Raju Kumar Nakarmi secured 9,043 votes, while UML's Kesh Ratna Bajracharya received 5,507 votes. Based on these figures, UML's Surendra Manandhar appears to face a tough challenge in the upcoming election.
The Maoists party, as the third-largest force, also faces an uphill battle. Shiva Sharan Maharjan, their candidate in the last election, garnered only 2,280 votes. This time, Maharjan might gain some advantage from support pledged by the CPN (Unified Socialist), led by Madhav Kumar Nepal. However, internal disputes within the Unified Socialist Party complicate the situation, with Bhanu Rijal also running as the party's candidate.
Meanwhile, independent candidate Rajman Manav has generated public support, partly fueled by the endorsement of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City Mayor Harka Sampang. Despite the positive atmosphere surrounding his candidacy, Manav lacks an organizational base, and his support appears limited beyond symbolic backing.
However, the results of the 'free atmosphere' seen in the previous elections, which favored independent candidates Balen Shah, Gopal Hamal and Harka Sampang, cannot be ignored.
