KATHMANDU, Feb 13: Ranju (Neupane) Darshana of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is contesting the House of Representatives (HoR) election from Kathmandu Constituency-1, scheduled for March 5.
Nine months pregnant, she has been visiting voters’ doorsteps with remarkable energy and determination, earning praise from many who describe her as courageous. She says the encouragement from voters has strengthened her resolve. The party’s “Walk with Ranju” campaign has also boosted her confidence.
Ranju said she chose to contest from Kathmandu-1 to seek justice for the mothers who lost 76 children during the Gen Z movement. Having entered politics at the age of 17, the 29-year-old candidate says her bid also aims to build a Nepal where young people are not compelled to go abroad for opportunities.
“Past election experiences have made me more mature, composed, and experienced,” she said. “Living apart from one’s children is a mother’s greatest pain. I want to help build a Nepal where no child is forced to leave the country, and where foreigners come to visit and explore.”
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Kathmandu-1 comprises wards 10, 11, 29, and 31 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), with 48,489 registered voters — 23,237 men and 25,252 women. A total of 29 candidates are contesting the seat, including 16 affiliated with political parties and 13 independents. Among them, four are women.
The constituency has drawn heightened attention following the Gen Z movement. It also houses the Constituent Assembly and Parliament building. Ranju said the events surrounding the movement and the loss suffered by mothers influenced her decision to run here.
In the 2022 elections, Nepali Congress (NC) leader Prakash Man Singh had consistently won the seat but is not contesting this time. He had defeated Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s Senior Vice-Chair Rabindra Mishra by 132 votes. In 2017, Singh had also defeated Mishra, then a candidate, by 819 votes.
This time, Mishra is again contesting from the RPP, while Ranju is emerging as a strong challenger. The NC has fielded Prabal Thapa, and CPN-UML has nominated Mohan Raj Regmi, among others. Candidates from several other parties are also in the fray.
Ranju previously contested the KMC mayoral election in 2017 from Bibeksheel Nepali Party, securing 23,439 votes. She also ran in the 2022 general election from Kathmandu-5, though the result was not in her favor. She believes the current wave in favor of the RSP will work to her advantage this time.
Balancing pregnancy and political campaigning has not been easy. “I entered this race with the desire to embrace both motherhood and leadership,” she said. “Pregnancy brings its own physical and emotional challenges. I feel tired after door-to-door programs, but I remain determined.”
With 12 years of political experience and strong support from her husband, her morale remains high. Notably, doctors have set her expected delivery date for March 2 — just three days before the election.
She says her main competition is with her “old self,” adding that she has grown calmer and more mature over the years. Through both symbolism and victory, she hopes to send a powerful message to mothers who lost their children.
“Nurturing a new life in my womb is itself a powerful journey,” she said emotionally, recalling the traditional “dahi chiura” ceremony observed in the eighth month of pregnancy. “When women voters treated me as one of their own and fed me dahi chiura, I felt deeply moved. It strengthened me even more.”
