Young Challengers Shake Up Race as Veterans Clash in Dhading-1 Election

Dhading. The upcoming election in Dhading-1 is set to feature a clash between seasoned rivals and a new generation of young contenders. As the election fervor rises, the dynamics in Dhading Constituency-1 have taken an interesting turn. Dhading-1 comprises Dhunibesi Municipality along with Benighat Rorang, Siddalekh, Gajuri, Galchhi, and Thakre Rural Municipalities. Candidates from the Nepali Congress, CPN (Unified Socialist), and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) are expected to challenge the strongholds of CPN-UML in some areas.

In this constituency, Bhumi Tripathi from CPN-UML, Krishna Rijal from Nepali Congress, Rajendra Pandey from CPN (Unified Socialist), Ashika Tamang from RSP, Gita Prasad Acharya from RPP, Chandradevi Wasukala from Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, and various independent candidates are vying to establish their influence. Candidates also include Rajan Prasad Regmi from Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, Pralad Silwal from Shram Sanskriti Party, Rinchen Tamang from National Organization Party, and Shyamraj Pandey from Ujyalo Nepal Party. Dambar Bahadur Limbu from Sanyukta Nagarik Party and Jalpa Devi Regmi from Aam Janata Party have also registered their candidacies in the same constituency. Independent candidates include Hari Bhandari, Rajesh Bhattarai, Niranjan Sanjel, Dhruv Prasad Pandey, Dharmaraj Nepal, Deepak Tamang, and Tapan Upreti.

It is certain that young leaders, entering the electoral field with new enthusiasm, will challenge the leaders who were main competitors in past elections. The candidacies of Krishna Rijal from the Nepali Congress and Tamang from the RSP have made the election in this constituency particularly fascinating amidst the confrontation between old rivals.

In Dhading-1, CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Rajendra Prasad Pandey, who has dominated politics in the area for over four decades, and CPN-UML's Bhumi Prasad Tripathi have once again squared off. Pandey, who has been active in the electoral politics of this constituency since 2043 BS, is also a former Chief Minister of the Bagmati Province. Pandey, considered an experienced and shrewd political player, defeated Tripathi by a margin of 7,981 votes in the last 2079 BS election.

On the other hand, CPN-UML's Bhumi Prasad Tripathi is aiming to reclaim his former legacy. Tripathi, who won the House of Representatives seat from Dhading-1 in the 2074 BS election, faces the main challenge this time of stopping his political mentor Pandey and securing the party organization. Pandey was then part of CPN-UML. In the 2074 BS election, former minister Pandey, who was preparing for the House of Representatives contest from this constituency, contested for the Bagmati Provincial Assembly seat after not getting the ticket.

When Tripathi got the ticket, Pandey was made to contest for the province with the promise of making him the Chief Minister. Both won in that election, but Pandey did not become the Chief Minister. After the split in CPN-UML, Pandey, who joined the CPN (Unified Socialist), became the Chief Minister of the coalition government in Kartik 2078 BS. Pandey led the government for 14 months and contested for the House of Representatives in Dhading-1 in the 2079 BS election. In that contest, Tripathi was defeated, while Pandey emerged victorious.

In the current post-Janji movement scenario, a prominent figure in Dhading-1 is Congress candidate Krishna Rijal. Rijal, a former regional president of the Nepali Congress and a central member of the Nepal Tarun Dal, is contesting a parliamentary election for the first time. Rijal, known for his intellectual and dignified image, seems to be pressuring the older leaders with his candidacy.

Rijal states that his competition is not with other candidates but 'with himself,' expressing confidence in winning the support of the citizens. He relies on the strong organization of the Nepali Congress in this area and voters seeking a new, young face. Essentially, the contest here is expected to be fascinating due to Pandey's experience, Tripathi's organizational strength, and the new energy brought by Rijal and Tamang.