TIKAPUR, March 2: Election excitement is growing in Tikapur, a key constituency under Kailali-1. From busy marketplaces and tea shops to farmlands, discussions about the upcoming polls dominate daily conversations. This time, however, there is a visible shift in voter sentiment — many residents say they want capable leaders who can deliver development rather than candidates chosen purely on community identity.
In previous elections, voting patterns in the area were largely shaped by community-based calculations. As a Tharu-majority region, collective voting from the Tharu community often played a decisive role in determining results. This time, the political mood appears to be changing.
“We don’t care whether the candidate is from our community or another,” said Pramila Chaudhary of Shaktinagar. “We want someone who can bring real change. Tikapur can only move forward if all communities work together.”
Tikapur continues to face multiple development challenges. The town is located in a flood-prone zone, and although promises of river embankment construction are made every year, fear of flooding remains constant. Some families are still living without land ownership certificates, creating uncertainty about their future.
“We have voted many times, but our lives have not changed,” said Belawati Chaudhary of Ganatantra Chowk. “We want better roads and quality education in schools.”
Issues such as education, healthcare, sports infrastructure and employment have now taken center stage, gradually overshadowing caste-based political calculations. Weak local infrastructure and youth migration for employment opportunities highlight what many residents see as a widening gap between public needs and government delivery.
At the same time, locals say social awareness has improved. Community distances have narrowed, and dialogue among Tharu, hill-origin, Dalit and other communities has increased. There is growing enthusiasm to maintain social harmony while pushing for development.
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Resham Chaudhary’s influence and changing political equation
At first glance, Kailali-1 appears to remain an influential political base of Resham Lal Chaudhary. In the 2017 elections, he won by a large margin despite being underground in connection with the Tikapur incident. Listed as a fugitive by police at the time, he contested through a proxy candidate from the Rastriya Janata Party (RSP) and secured victory.
Later, while serving a jail term, his wife Ranjita Shrestha led the formation of the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP). She won the 2022 election and later became a minister. However, internal disputes within the party and marital tensions after 2022 led to a split. Shrestha later merged her faction with the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), while Chaudhary formed a separate NUP, Nepal. The division scattered party workers and created confusion among voters.
The question now is which way the new political alignment will tilt in an area long influenced by Chaudhary’s political base.
The electoral contest in Kailali-1 has become multi-dimensional. Ram Lal Dangaura, who joined the CPN after previously being associated with NUP, is contesting as a candidate. After resigning as mayor of Tikapur Municipality, he hopes to continue the momentum of his 2022 victory. Meanwhile, the UML has fielded young leader Dwarika Prasad Neupane.
Other candidates include Pradip Kumar Chaudhary from Ujyalo Nepal Party, Komal Gyawali from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Bimal Kumar Dangaura from Shram Sanskriti Party. The Nepali Congress (NC) has fielded Janak Raj Chaudhary, Rastriya Prajatantra Party has nominated Lokendra Kunwar, Janamat Party has Bhagataram Dangaura, Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party has Sunita Bhandari, CPN (Maoist) has Ram Bahadur Bishwakarma, while Rupa Kumari Chaudhary of Aam Janata Party and several independent candidates are also contesting.
Notably, seven candidates from the Tharu community are contesting, increasing the possibility of vote fragmentation. In this situation, UML leaders believe their candidate Neupane has a new opportunity.
The UML has not won this constituency for 31 years. Congress won in 1991, UML in 1994, NC again in 1999, and the CPN (Maoist Centre) in 2008. After more than three decades, UML leaders believe a fresh opportunity has emerged.
Forty-seven-year-old Neupane, known as an ideological leader, holds a master’s degree and has been involved in politics since grade eight. Considered a rising youth leader from Sudurpaschim Province, he argues that politics should be linked with production and economic development rather than being treated purely as a profession.
“Our vegetables do not get a good market,” said Pabita Chaudhary. “We want better market access for our produce.”
Rising above caste politics
Voters in Tikapur appear to be experimenting with a new political culture by moving beyond caste-based voting. While community identity once played a dominant role, development issues are now taking priority. Many voters say they want to choose leaders based on performance rather than emotional or identity-based considerations.
“In the past, people voted based on caste. This time, we are searching for a good candidate,” said Balbir Dangaura. “We need a better leader, not just someone from our own community.”
Devraj Neupane, owner of Kismat Hotel, shared similar optimism, saying this election could change Tikapur’s “fate.” He said Tikapur is gradually developing as a city of harmony. “Whoever wins, this election will lay the foundation for a better future.”
Predicting the election outcome in Kailali-1 has become difficult. In earlier elections, results were often predictable beforehand. This time, the split in NUP, the Congress strategy to consolidate hill-origin votes, attempts to protect political legacies, and the fragmentation of Tharu votes have made the race highly uncertain.
Today, Tikapur is more than just an electoral battleground. It has become a laboratory of social transformation — a place searching for harmony, coexistence and development while awaiting new leadership.
As voting day approaches, one question continues to echo across the constituency: Will Tikapur write a different political history this time? The answer will soon be known.
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