Kailali Votes: NC and UML face RSP challenge across five seats

DHANGADHI, March 3: Kailali, located in the Sudurpaschim Province, has the highest number of constituencies in the region, with five parliamentary seats. As the election approaches, competition in Kailali is becoming increasingly intense.

Three years ago in 2022, voters delivered unexpected results when their choices defied predictions. Defying major established parties, the then-new Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) won three constituencies. This time, all eyes are on Kailali to see the outcome. The Nepali Congress (NC) is striving to protect its inherited legacy, while the UML and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) aim to reclaim theirs, and new parties are working to strengthen their foothold, making the election both competitive and complex.

The NUP has since split. The faction led by Ranjita Shrestha merged into the NCP, while its patron Resham Chaudhary formed Nagarik Unmukti Nepal, which is contesting in an electoral alliance.

The primary contest in all five constituencies is now among four parties: NC, CPN-UML, NCP, and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Locals note that in Kailali-2, Nagarik Unmukti Nepal also poses a strong challenge. Across all five constituencies, the main competition is between NC, UML, RSP, NCP, and Nagarik Unmukti Nepal.

Election results in Kailali have frequently shifted. In 2017, UML and the then-Maoist Centre each won two constituencies, while the Rastriya Janata Party (RJP) secured one. Although Resham Chaudhary of RJP was elected from Kailali-1, he could not enter parliament due to being on the fugitive list. UML won Kailali-2 and 5, while the Maoist Centre won Kailali-3 and 4.

In 2074, NC won nothing, but in 2079, it captured two seats. The remaining three went to the NUP, with UML and Maoists failing to win any.

This election, three years later, sees RSP challenging the established parties. Kailali, with its five constituencies, also serves as the temporary and permanent capital of the province. Results here could influence which party dominates the entire Far-Western Province.

Candidates across all parties are actively reaching voters with their agendas through door-to-door campaigns. Kailali, out of the Far-Western Province’s nine districts, has 551,052 registered voters, contributing to the province’s total of 1,716,660.

Kailali-1

In Kailali-1, NC and CPN-UML are vying to reclaim their historical legacy from 1999 and 1994, respectively. Neither has previously won a parliamentary election here. While in prison for the Tikapur incident, Resham Chaudhary formed the Nagarik Unmukti Party with Ranjita Shrestha as chairperson. In 2022, Ranjita Shrestha was elected from this party, which is now fragmented.

One faction merged with the CPN, while some leaders joined RSP and Ujyalo Nepal parties. Resham formed Nagarik Unmukti Nepal. Locals see NC and UML as striving to regain legacy, with CPN also a strong contender.

From NC, Jankaraj Chaudhary, a former Constituent Assembly member elected from the then-Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum in 2022, and Dwarika Prasad Neupane from UML are contesting. Ram Lal Dagaura, former NUP leader, is contesting from CPN. Resham Chaudhary’s candidacy was annulled by the election office, but his party supports independent candidate Phagu Ram Tharu. RSP fielded former NUP treasurer Komal Gyawali.

Other parties include Ujyalo Nepal’s Pradeep Chaudhary and Bimalkumar Dagoara of the Shram Sanskriti Party. In total, 17 candidates, including five independents, are contesting.

In the last election, Ranjita Shrestha won 30,404 votes. Her closest rival, Ramjanam Chaudhary of NC (backed by the Maoist Centre), got 18,081 votes, and Tapendra Bahadur Rawal of UML received 5,910 votes. Proportional votes: NUP 27,406, NC 11,395, Maoist Centre 7,992, UML 5,215, and Unified Socialist 733.

Kailali-2

Candidates here include Bijay Bahadur Swar (NC), Surya Bahadur Thapa (UML), Nanda Bahadur Saud (NCP), KP Khanal (RSP), and Patiram Chaudhary (Nagarik Unmukti Nepal), along with two independents, totalling 15 candidates.

In 2017, UML’s Jhapat Rawal won; in 2079, Arun Kumar Chaudhary of NUP was elected. Locals view the main contest among Surya Bahadur Thapa, Patiram Chaudhary, and KP Khanal. In the last election, Arun Chaudhary won 21,871 votes, Jhapat Rawal 16,128, and Bhagat Bahadur Baduwal (Maoist-supported Congress) 15,116. Proportional votes: NUP 19,597, UML 12,818, NC 10,179, Maoist 7,169.

Kailali-3

The competition includes CPN, RSP, UML, and NC. RSP candidate Jagat Prasad Joshi is a strong contender. With a Tharu-majority population, locals closely watch Nagarik Unmukti Nepal’s candidate.

In 2013 and 2017, Gauri Shankar Chaudhary was elected from the Maoists, but now he contests from UML after losing the previous election. NC fields deputy district chair Bhim Bahadur Badwal, CPN fields former provincial assembly member Bir Man Chaudhary, and Nagarik Unmukti Nepal contests with Bikram Chaudhary. RSP’s Birendra Bahadur Bam also contests. A total of 11 candidates are in the fray.

In 2022, Ganga Ram Chaudhary of NUP won with 23,120 votes, Krishna Kumar Chaudhary (Maoist) got 17,749, and the UML candidate 9,874. Proportional votes: NUP 21,549, NC 10,007, Maoist 8,416, UML 7,531.

Kailali-4

Sub-Secretary of UML, Lekhraj Bhatt, contests this constituency. Bhatt has contested here since 2008, winning twice and losing twice. In the last election, he lost to NC’s Bir Bahadur Balayar while allied with Maoists. He now aims to reclaim his legacy.

NC nominated Gorakh Bahadur Bista (residing in the U.S.) after Bir Bahadur Balayar declined. CPN fields former National Assembly member Hariram Chaudhary, RSP fields Khemraj Koirala, along with one independent and 15 party candidates.

In 2022, NC’s Bir Bahadur Balayar won 26,275 votes, Bhatt 22,663. Proportional votes: UML 19,175, NC 16,727, NUP 5,855, and Maoist 5,342.

Kailali-5

Kailali-5, including Dhangadhi (temporary provincial capital), has historically seen victories by NC, UML, and CPN-Maoist since 2015. New party candidates from RSP challenge established parties strongly.

The competition is expected to be interesting among four main candidates: Nara Narayan Shah (NC), Yagya Raj Dhungana (CPN), Prem Ale (CPN-Maoist), and Anand Bahadur Chand (RSP). Shah, Dhungana, and Chand are first-time parliamentary candidates, while Ale, elected thrice consecutively in Doti, is a new face here.

This constituency has 110,600 voters, covering all 19 wards of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City and wards 6 and 9 of Kailari Rural Municipality. Fifteen candidates, including independents, are contesting.

Election results have fluctuated in every poll here. Since 2015, voters had nine opportunities to vote (including by-elections). NC won six times, UML twice, and CPN-Maoist once. In Nepal’s first democratic election of 1959, Lokendra Bahadur Shah (NC) was elected. Post-reinstatement of democracy, NC’s Tek Bahadur Chokhal won in 1991.

In 1994, UML’s Maheshwar Pathak won; in 1999, Tek Bahadur Chokhal (NC) won. In 2008, Lila Bhandari (Maoist) won the first Constituent Assembly election; in 2070, Sher Bahadur Deuba (NC) won the second. After Deuba vacated the seat, Pushkar Nath Ojha (NC) won the by-election. In 2017, Naradmuni Rana (UML, allied with Maoists) won, and in 2022, Dilliraj Pant (NC) was elected.

In 2022, NC contested in alliance with CPN-Maoist and Unified Socialist, winning 21,302 votes. UML received 20,318 votes. Proportional votes: NC 15,117, UML 14,321, Maoist 5,736, RSP 4,455.