KATHMANDU, JANUARY 23
Koshi Province is set to become the country's high-voltage electoral battleground and topic of discussion for the House of Representatives elections, which will take place on March 5.
As prominent figures from major parties, well-established positions and well-known members of the younger generation have entered the same arena, the Koshi Province has gained enormous traction. These leaders are likely to shape the nation's political landscape following the election results.
Out of 504 nominations for 28 electoral constituencies, five major Koshi constituencies are anticipated to generate a great deal of interest for the election contest.
JHAPA CONSTITUENCY-5: BALEN VS OLI
National politics is currently focused on Jhapa Constituency-5. Former prime minister and UML President KP Sharma Oli is at odds with Balendra (Balen) Shah, who resigned as Kathmandu mayor to run for the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
This clash has piqued the interest of both voters and spectators. Jhapa-5 is considered a stronghold of the CPN-UML.
This competition between the experienced Oli, who has been elected six times from this constituency, and Balen, who has cultivated a maverick and rebellious image among the younger generation, is viewed as a battle between two potential prime ministerial candidates.
Ranjit Tamang, a popular leader among young leaders and students, is running for this constituency on behalf of the Nepali Communist Party. This has made Jhapa Constituency-5 the 'epicentre' of the country's elections.
This area has traditionally been considered a stronghold of the UML. Oli has represented this area six times between 1991 and 2022. Only in 2008 did he lose to then-CPN-Maoist candidate Bishwadeep Lingden. During the 2022 parliamentary election, Oli won with 52,319 votes.
Meanwhile, despite finishing third, the RSP received the second-highest vote share after the CPN-UML in the proportional representation system.
JHAPA CONSTITUENCY-2: FORMER SPEAKER VS DEPUTY SPEAKER
The second constituency to make headlines this time is Jhapa Constituency-2. The election produced another intriguing battle between the former speaker and the deputy speaker.
Outgoing Speaker Devraj Ghimire (UML), Deputy Speaker Indira Rana (RSP), and Nepali Congress leader Sarita Prasai face off here. On the other hand, the alliance between RPP's Swagat Nepal and Rajendra Lingden, who gave him a ticket, has brought this constituency to the forefront.
The rivalry between two powerful women leaders (Indira Rana and Dharmashila Chapagain) is also very noteworthy here. While Devraj Ghimire, who was previously elected, is regarded as strong due to his organisational structure, Indira is also well-liked by voters in this area due to her social work.
MORANG CONSTITUENCY-6: SHEKHAR KOIRALA VS BINOD DHAKAL
Dr Shekhar Koirala, who entered Nepali politics through family inheritance, has run for the Morang Constituency-6.
Koirala, a member of the Nepali Congress's establishment faction, and Binod Dhakal, a combative leader of the CPNUML, are engaged in an intriguing confrontation in Morang Constituency-6. With the goal of 'development of Biratnagar', Dhakal is opposing the established power, while Shekhar Koirala seeks to forge a route to national leadership while upholding his legacy.
This time, voters don't seem to be fond of Koirala, a leader who only seeks attention in high-level politics and never connects with the general public.
He has been charged with failing to bring up any citizen concerns in the House and government since winning the 2022 election. This constituency is also the subject of much debate.
SUNSARI CONSTITUENCY-1: FORMER MAYOR VS WARD CHAIRPERSON
This time, in the Sunsari Constituency-1, there is an interesting clash. Surya Bahadur Bhattarai, a harsh critic of Rai's working style, has emerged as a rival to Dharan's well-known Mayor Hark Sampang, who is expressing his desire to join the House of Representatives.
Bhattarai is a prominent figure who has twice been chosen to serve as the ward chair. Bhattarai, who previously served as ward chair for the CPN-MC in 2017 and 2022, is running for the Nepali Communist Party. Sampang, chair of the Shram Sanskriti Party, is known as a leader who created the culture of carrying stones. He has a reputation for being obsessed with labour contributions and his social media activities.
Goma Tamang (Sarin), acting chair of Koshi Province in RSP's Sunsari Constituency-1, has filed for re-election to the House of Representatives.
MORANG CONSTITUENCY-3: SHARMA VS KARKI
In Morang Constituency-3, the competition between RSP youth leader Ganesh Karki and Nobel Medical College director and Nepali Congress leader Dr Sunil Sharma has caused a stir.
Voters will decide between Karki, who is interested in good governance and change, and Sharma, who has turned health services into an election weapon. This election is being viewed as a clash over the use or misuse of resources and political power.
Dr Sharma is Nobel Medical College's director. During elections in his constituency, he has enticed voters by constantly holding health camps and arranging for free and subsidised treatment through Nobel Medical College.
Sharma, who defeated CPN-UML candidate Bhanubhakta Dhakal by a large margin in the previous election, is running a political campaign that aligns with the alternative youth force emerging within the Nepali Congress.
RSP's Karki has been recognised as an active and influential youth leader since the party's inception. Karki presents himself as a clear speaker who advocates for good governance, transparency and alternatives to traditional political practices.
Iran Rai of the CPN-UML is the candidate for this seat. Rai is extremely popular among the locals. Rai, who has long led development and community forestry efforts and is involved in the tourism industry, is also viewed as a strong candidate this time.
