Electoral Battle Heats Up in Bhaktapur-1: Will Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party Retain Its Stronghold?

Bhaktapur. Who will win in Bhaktapur Constituency No. 1 in the upcoming election on Falgun 21? When this question was posed to voters in Bhaktapur Municipality and Changu Narayan Municipality, which fall under this constituency, the majority responded with 'Madal' (the drum symbol), referring to the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party (NWPP/NMKP).

Bhaktapur-1 is renowned as the stronghold of NWPP, which has consistently won all elections since 2048 BS. NWPP Chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe won the election in this constituency five times consecutively in 2048, 2051, 2056, 2064, and 2070 BS. Subsequently, NWPP Secretary Prem Suwal won the direct election in 2074 and 2079 BS. Suwal had also entered the second Constituent Assembly through the proportional representation system in 2070 BS.

Makbul Ali, a resident of Kamalbinayak, Bhaktapur Municipality-10, claims that NWPP will win the upcoming election. "Bhaktapur is the stronghold of NWPP (Madal)," he says, "but new parties have also emerged, and people are joining other parties too." According to Makbul, the influence of new parties is not significant, but it is quite visible in the villages. He states that the possibility of any party other than NWPP winning in Bhaktapur-1 is slim. "NWPP has done good work; development has taken place. They have improved colleges, schools, and roads. We the people are satisfied," he adds.

Deep Bahadur Lama, a local resident met at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, also cited the strong grip of NWPP in this area. "NWPP has done good work in education, health, and development. NWPP has paid attention to everything, so there seems to be no alternative," he says. "I feel that the new ones might do something, but NWPP will likely be ahead in Bhaktapur."

Dhan Bahadur Nepali 'David', who operates a curio shop at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, suggests that NWPP has a higher chance of winning in Constituency No. 1. "NWPP has renovated temples, focused on cleanliness, and worked on health," says Nepali, a voter from this constituency. "It is difficult to defeat NWPP in Bhaktapur."

The influence of NWPP is as strong within Bhaktapur Municipality as it is not seen in Changu Narayan Municipality. As one moves from the Bhaktapur city area towards the wards of Changu Narayan, a wave for new parties is visible. Ambika Kafle of Changu Narayan Municipality-7, Basbari, says she will vote for a new party this time. She has hope in the new parties. "There is hope that the new ones will do something," she says. "The old ones did nothing."

Ramita Khatri, a resident of Bhaktapur Constituency No. 1, also intends to vote for a new candidate this time. "There is a wave of hope that new parties might achieve something," she says. "Instead of always voting for the old ones, we should give an opportunity to new representatives once. A new way of thinking and a new phase of development should begin."

Ramita Khadka from Kamalbinayak, Tathali, Bhaktapur-9, has also decided to elect a new and good representative this time. She feels that electing a new representative once might bring development. "Employment should be created in our own country; people should receive skill-based training," Ramita says. "I want to try electing someone new once."

Hope and trust in new parties are not only held by the younger generation but also by 84-year-old Ratna Bahadur, a voter from Bhaktapur-1. He says, "The old ones did nothing; they only sought to enrich themselves. There is hope that the new ones will do something."

Subash Adhikari of the CPN (Maoist) led by Biplav, contesting the election for the first time, states that the electoral arithmetic in Bhaktapur-1 will change. Adhikari, who is also the District Secretary of CPN (Maoist) in Bhaktapur, introduced the Maoists as a party connected to labor. "We do not confuse the public by carrying flags and banners or making grand statements like others. We were with the people yesterday, and we are with them today," he said.

Previously, the Maoists boycotted elections. Why are they participating this time? Adhikari explains that the election is merely a medium to convey their message to the people because the public mindset has changed after the Jan-Yuddha (People's War). "We are against this parliamentary system, but we are utilizing it to reach the people," he says. Bhaktapur Constituency No. 1 comprises 19 wards from Bhaktapur Municipality and Changu Narayan Municipality. There is a total of 107,044 voters, with 52,066 males and 54,988 females.

For the House of Representatives election in 2082 BS, candidates in Bhaktapur-1 are allowed to spend a maximum of 2.9 million rupees, and candidates in Constituency No. 2 can spend up to 2.7 million rupees.

Why Can't Other Parties Break NWPP's Fortress?

This time, NWPP has fielded candidates in 59 districts. While predictions for other constituencies are uncertain, victory in Bhaktapur-1 is considered almost certain. In the 2079 BS election, NWPP's Prem Suwal won by securing 42,761 votes. His rival, Nabraj Gelal of CPN-UML, received 11,968 votes. Suwal won by a significant margin of 30,793 votes, while the Rastriya Prajatantra Party's Bharat Bahadur Khadka finished third with 9,303 votes. Furthermore, NWPP secured a popular vote in the proportional representation category with 33,851 votes.

NWPP, which originated from the farmers' movement, struggled to secure tenancy rights for farmers after the Land Reform Act was implemented in 2021 BS. To secure tenancy rights for farmers, party leaders and cadres went to the farmers' fields and engaged in harvesting and bringing in the crops themselves, securing sharecropping rights for the farmers. In the struggle to secure tenancy rights for the residents of Bhaktapur, NWPP leaders and cadres faced charges of theft, fraud, and looting, and some cadres were injured or disabled.

NWPP intensified its anti-corruption campaign starting in 2025 BS. It raised a strong voice against the wrongdoings of agricultural cooperatives and local moneylenders. Bhaktapur Valley is a major tourist destination. NWPP has played a special role in the conservation of its cultural heritage. NWPP has set an example in the expansion and development of education, health, and roads.

Khwopa Engineering College, established in 2058 BS, has been providing engineering education at affordable fees. Community schools have been made high-quality and free. Nurses are sent door-to-door for health check-ups. Bhaktapur Municipality is providing services by operating six childcare centers, six colleges teaching overseers, and three public health offices.

In the city, there is a rule that no one can demolish the old style when building a new house in old settlements. The municipality provides a 35 percent subsidy to encourage the construction of houses in the original style. Health check-up facilities are available in all wards. According to voters in Bhaktapur, NWPP has done good work in education, health, sanitation, and roads.

NWPP Fields Candidates in 120 Constituencies Across 59 Districts

NWPP, established in Bhaktapur, has fielded candidates in 120 constituencies across 59 districts for the House of Representatives election to be held on Falgun 21. NWPP, which has nominated 67 men and 53 women, has contested in 12 out of 13 districts in Bagmati Province, excluding Rasuwa.

In Karnali Province, it has nominated nine candidates, including one woman, in nine constituencies across seven districts. In Koshi Province, it has fielded eight women and 13 men in 12 districts. In Madhesh Province, it has nominated six women and 16 men in eight districts.

NWPP, which has contested in seven out of 12 districts in Lumbini Province, has nominated eight women and six men. In Gandaki Province, it has nominated six women and two men in five out of 11 districts. In Sudurpaschim Province, excluding Bajura, it has nominated five women and nine men in eight districts.

Who is in the Electoral Field in Bhaktapur-1?

A total of 25 candidates from various parties and independents have registered their candidacies in Bhaktapur Constituency No. 1. NWPP's Prem Suwal is contesting the House of Representatives election for the fourth time. After NWPP Chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe announced his retirement from active politics in 2074 BS and did not contest, Suwal has been winning the election continuously.

Som Prasad Mishra, former Mayor of Changu Narayan Municipality, is contesting from CPN-UML, and Kiran Neupane, former Chairman of the Nepal Bar Association, Bhaktapur, is contesting from the Nepali Congress. Furthermore, Rukes Ranjit from Rastriya Swatantra Party, Bharat Bahadur Khadka from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Devendra Thakur from Aam Janata Party, Ramesh Ball from Ujyalo Nepal Party, Ishwariprasad Paiyani from Rastriya Janamorcha, Sabitri Neupane from Miteri Nepal Party, and Deepak Pokharel from Nepal Ka Lagi Nepali Party are in the fray.

Similarly, Shyam Sundar Shilpakar from JSP Nepal, Chandraman Koju from CPN (Maoist), Bishnu Hari Nhisutu from Shram Sanskriti Party, Damodar Kafle from CPN United, and Ravi Khaiju from Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party are candidates. Additionally, Balkrishna Khaitu, Suresh Koju, Dasharath Thapa, Raju Shrestha, Punyaram Suwal, Sudip Neupane, Rajeshwari Prajapati, Bishnu Ram Damaru, and Sujita Budhathoki have registered as independent candidates.

What are the Electoral Agendas of the Candidates?

The Biplav-led CPN (Maoist), which boycotted previous elections, is participating in the election for the first time. Chandra Man Koju, the CPN (Maoist) candidate in Bhaktapur-1, appeared enthusiastic. He clarified that the party decided to participate in the election due to the different circumstances that arose in the country following the Jan-Yuddha (People's War).

He explained the policy of ensuring proportional participation and competition for marginalized classes, regions, castes, and genders in all organs and bodies of the state, including the judiciary, executive, and legislature. He stated that the agenda includes quality education, access to health for the general public, development of small cottage industries based on local knowledge and skills, and the establishment of entrepreneurial schools and learning centers. He claimed that CPN (Maoist) is committed to independence, self-reliance, and equality, with an agenda to work for broader transformation in science, technology, security, information and communication, transport, and tourism sectors.

Som Prasad Mishra, former Mayor of Changu Narayan Municipality, is the candidate from CPN-UML in this constituency. "The Federal Parliament did not listen to the voice of Bhaktapur," he says. "It is not enough for just one MP from NWPP to raise their voice in Parliament. It is in the interest of Bhaktapur to elect a candidate from a national party for that purpose."

Mishra has opened a Facebook page titled 'Mission Transformation, Som Mishra'. Through this page, he is not only putting forward his electoral agenda but also listing the work done during his tenure as Mayor of Changu Narayan Municipality. He stated that he would dedicate himself to education, health, good governance, and stability. He outlined plans to promote Bhaktapur's tourism sector to provide employment to many, make Bhaktapur the cultural center of the country, and organize national and international conferences. He is making full efforts to convey his agendas to the public through digital platforms.

Similarly, Congress candidate Kiran Neupane asserted that he should be elected to make laws and maintain good governance. Neupane, whose political career began in 2047 BS, stated that he would play a role in creating employment opportunities within the country, ending corruption, and ensuring good governance.

NWPP's Prem Suwal, known for his strong voice in Parliament, has nationalist agendas. Despite having only one seat in Parliament, he demanded that NWPP be declared the main opposition party. Suwal's statements, made after studying contemporary issues in Parliament, often garner attention.

Suwal has written on his Facebook cover photo featuring Party Chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe: "We have no goal in life other than serving the country and the people." Suwal claims that he should be elected to reform policies and laws, control corruption and favoritism, raise the voice of the people in Parliament, control the government's authoritarianism, and keep the government's arbitrariness in check.

Advocate Hariram Lavaju, the candidate from the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), claims he is the most qualified candidate for the House of Representatives. Lavaju, who holds a Master's degree in Law and International Relations, says he can work in favor of the people if elected to the House of Representatives.

"Work in favor of the people can only be done if a person who understands the law is elected to the place where laws are made," says Lavaju. "I will prove to be a true representative of Bhaktapur to implement good governance, social justice, and prosperity in practice and to lead the country out of legal crises." He was also seriously injured by a bullet during his participation in the 2046 BS popular movement. He was also jailed for nearly two months at that time. He claims that CPN can fulfill the just demands raised by the Jan-Yuddha on Bhadra 23 and 24, and maintain good governance and peace.

"Bhaktapur can be made a prosperous district through agriculture and tourism," he says. "I will make Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur Municipalities model areas with development and prosperity."