KATHMANDU, March 6: Nepali Congress (NC) candidate Yogesh Gauchan has been elected from Mustang, becoming the first candidate from the NC to secure a seat in the House of Representatives (HoR) as vote counting continues across the country following Thursday’s polls held in 165 constituencies.
Gauchan secured 3,707 votes, defeating his closest rival Indradhara Bista of the CPN-UML, who garnered 1,806 votes. With a margin of 1,501 votes, Gauchan comfortably retained the Himalayan constituency.
He is also among the earliest winners declared so far, following Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) candidate Ranju Darshana, who was earlier announced the winner from Kathmandu-1, becoming the first candidate nationwide to be elected in the ongoing vote count.
29-year-old NC candidate Yogesh wins in Mustang
The 32-year-old Gauchan had also won the constituency in the 2022 elections. He is the son of veteran NC leader and former minister Romi Gauchan and is known as a tourism entrepreneur with hotel businesses in Mustang.
Meanwhile, Adwitiyachandra Thakali of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) finished third, securing 759 votes in the constituency.
Gauchan’s victory ensures the NC’s representation in the new federal parliament and underscores the party’s continued influence in the Himalayan district.
For the young lawmaker, the mandate carries both the challenge of meeting the aspirations of Mustang residents and the responsibility of carrying forward his father’s political legacy, while promoting tourism and development in the district.
