Rastriya Swatantra Party's Harimohan Bhandari Elected to Parliament from Baitadi

Dhangadhi. Harimohan Bhandari, 59, of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was elected as a Member of Parliament from Baitadi, securing 22,134 votes. He won the election by a margin of 3,940 votes. After his victory, Bhandari told Ratopati that he is a son of the soil of Baitadi and that his future politics will be purely focused on social service and development.

Born on Bhadra 24, 2023 BS, in Bhandarigaun, Patan, Baitadi, Harimohan comes from a political family. His father, the late Laxman Singh Bhandari, was a Panchayat-era headman (Pradhanpanch) and a Nepali Congress leader. One of his brothers is an AIG in the Nepal Police, and he also has two sisters and two daughters.

Harimohan, who graduated from RR Campus in Kathmandu, has traveled to 15-16 countries. He prefers to introduce himself as a social activist and someone who understands the culture and customs of Baitadi, rather than just a politician.

Harimohan's political journey began with the Nepali Congress. He served as a General Convention Member for the party three times. However, he rebelled after the party revoked his ticket after initially awarding it. In 2074 BS, he contested from the Congress, and in the 2079 election, he ran as an independent candidate for the Provincial Assembly. He lost both Provincial Assembly contests. Although he was narrowly defeated in the 2079 election while running independently, he secured over 11,000 votes.

Recently, feeling the need for change in the country and inspired by the rise of new faces like Rabi Lamichhane and Balen Shah, he joined the RSP along with his independent team.

Bhandari stated that his first priority is ending corruption.

"The country is hollowed out, drowned in debt," he said. "Now, corrupt individuals must be prosecuted. My first priority will be the 'Jail Bharau Abhiyan' (Campaign to Fill Jails)."

Harimohan stated that he will work to highlight the potential in Baitadi.

His plan is to utilize the abundant potential in rivers like the Seti and Mahakali, mineral resources, and tourism. He aims to connect fruit production, which is currently going to waste in villages, with the market by utilizing barren land. His plan is to create employment opportunities to keep the youth from going abroad within the village.

He stated that he will not become a rubber stamp in parliament like the old parties. He warned that if his own party, the RSP, strays from the path or engages in wrongdoing, he will not cling to his position.

"I have not entered politics for self-interest; if it goes down the wrong track, I will resign within 2-3 years and return to the people," he said.

He committed to always staying close to the people and visiting Baitadi repeatedly to stay in their homes.