KATHMANDU, Dec 31: Sasmit Pokharel, a close aide of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balendra (Balen) Shah and an associate expert at the City Planning Commission, is likely to contest the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election from Kathmandu Constituency-5.
Pokharel confirmed his ambition to run from the constituency, citing his long-standing personal connection to the area. “I grew up and went to school in Kathmandu-5. I am not only emotionally connected to this constituency, but I also understand it well. I hope the party decides to field me here,” he said.
However, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has yet to make a final decision on its candidate for the constituency.
Sasmit Pokharel files candidacy from Kathmandu-5
Meanwhile, RSP’s Pranaya Rana, who contested from Kathmandu-5 in the 2022 HoR election, has also expressed interest in running again. According to a party source, Rana too stands a strong chance of securing the ticket.
Despite the competition, sources say Pokharel’s prospects of receiving the RSP nomination remain high. He has been closely associated with Mayor Balen since before Shah announced his candidacy for the KMC mayoral race and played a significant role during the election campaign.
Pokharel had contested the 2022 provincial election as an independent candidate from Kathmandu Constituency-5 (A).
He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the Kathmandu University School of Law and is currently nearing completion of his master’s degree in Public Policy, Governance, and Anti-Corruption at Tribhuvan University.
He was also previously associated with Bibeksheel Sajha.
