The UCPN (Maoist) that emerged as the largest party in the previous election faces two major challenges. While the district is the stronghold of the party´s splinter group CPN-Maoist, other two rival parties -- Nepali Congress and CPN-UML -- have improved their presence there.[break]
Of the five former UCPN (Maoist) lawmakers, who won elections from Karnali, four have joined the CPN-Maoist, which has opted to stay out of the election process. Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma, Karnajit Budhathoki, Navaraj Dhami and Naresh Bhandari won the last CA election from Kalikot, Humla, Mugu and Jumla districts respectively. With these four former lawmakers joining the CPN-Maoist and the UCPN (Maoist) has fielded new faces in these districts.
UCPN (Maoist) candidate Mahendra Shahi said people would vote for his party as they had voted for the party and not the candidates in the previous election. “Our victory is certain because the voters are with us,” said Shahi.
As the Maoist party remains divided, the CPN-UML that had won seats in all the five districts of Karnali 14 years ago hopes to better its position. CPN-UML candidate Mohan Bahadur Baniya claimed his party would improve its position in the zone this time around.
Nepali Congress leaders are equally hopeful of improving the party´s position this time around. NC Jumla district President Manav Sejuwal claimed that his party has a strong chance of winning seats in the zone as party members stand united unlike in the past. “In the past, NC lost elections mainly because of intra-party feuds. Fortunately, our party is remains united for this election,” said Sejuwal.
As most of the candidates fielded by major political parties are new faces, political observers say it is difficult to predict the results. Of the total 15 candidates nominated by the major three political parties -- UCPN (Maoist), NC and CPN-UML -- NC candidate Jeevan Bahadur Shahi is the only old face.
Districts in Karnali Total voters Votes of winners in last CA
Kalikot 53,530 27,629
Jumla 47,438 21,127
Mugu 23,818 10,100
Humla 22,162 13,318
Dolpa 14,964 9,723
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