Elections Heat Up in Kailali-5: Independent Candidate and Party Factions Shape Tight Race

Dhangadhi. Political parties and candidates are busy formulating internal strategies for the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Several candidates are actively engaging with voters by visiting their doorsteps and presenting their platforms.

Naturally, activity has increased in Kailali Constituency No. 5, which also serves as the temporary capital of Sudurpaschim Province. Historically, the main competition in this constituency has been between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. However, in the 2079 local elections, independent candidate Gopal Hamal was elected Mayor of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, which covers most of this constituency, defeating candidates from major parties like Nepali Congress and CPN-UML.

This constituency, which has 110,539 voters, comprises Wards 1 to 19 of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, and Wards 6 and 9 of Kailari Rural Municipality.

Given that voters elected an independent candidate as Mayor of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City in the local elections, there is widespread interest in the outcome of the upcoming House of Representatives election in Kailali-5.

In this constituency, CPN-UML has nominated Yagya Raj Dhungana, Nepali Congress has nominated Nar Narayan Shah, CPN has nominated Prem Bahadur Ale, Rastriya Swatantra Party has nominated Anand Bahadur Chand, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party has nominated Roshan Shahi. Furthermore, Janmat Party has nominated Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary, Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party has nominated Trishan Pun Magar, Rastriya Janamorcha has nominated Shobhamani Pathak, Miteri Party Nepal has nominated Radhika Kumari Karki, CPN (Maoist) has nominated Babarjung Bahadur Singh, Ujyalo Nepal Party has nominated Chandra Saud, Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal has nominated Jagannath Chaudhary, and Aam Janata Party has nominated Devsingh Bista. Pyarelal Rana and Ishwari Bisht are contesting as independents here.

The 61-year-old independent candidate, Rana, is a former Constituent Assembly member. Having been active in Nepali Congress politics for a long time, serving as a Mahasamiti member and twice as Secretary for Kailali district, his candidacy is expected to draw votes from the disgruntled faction within the Congress party.

Locally, there is discussion that Rana's candidacy, following his departure from the Congress party in Baisakh 2082 due to extreme factionalism and malpractice within the party, could cause a significant split in Congress's traditional vote bank. Party workers suggest that a dividing line has been drawn within Congress between supporters of a special general convention and the previous establishment faction. Some speculate that Rana could capitalize on this internal conflict within Congress.

Rana, a permanent resident of Pathari, Dhangadhi-17, has established a personal image as a social worker and education enthusiast. Rana is also expected to receive ethnic votes. He is a respected leader among the Tharu and Rana Tharu communities. Tharu and Rana Tharu community votes are considered decisive in Kailali-5. The Tharu community constitutes about 40 percent of the population in Dhangadhi and 97 percent in the two wards of Kailari.

The Nepali Congress, which won the 2079 parliamentary election with the support of the alliance, is contesting alone this time. In 2079, Congress's Dilli Raj Pant won with 20,392 votes, while Congress received 15,617 votes under the proportional representation system.

This time, Shah, the Congress candidate, is intensifying his door-to-door campaign with the agenda of stopping youth migration and creating employment, but internal party dissatisfaction and the influence of the independent candidate could pose a challenge for him.

On the other hand, CPN-UML is also aiming to restore its prestige. In 2079, UML's Naradumuni Rana was defeated by a narrow margin, securing 20,018 votes. This time, Dhungana, the UML candidate, has made good governance and corruption control his main issues. In the 2079 proportional representation, UML received 14,321 votes here. UML is also entering the electoral field alone this time.

CPN's Prem Ale, who is contesting from this constituency, is viewed by locals as a 'tourist' candidate. However, Ale has refuted this accusation, stating that he has significant investments and owns a home in Dhangadhi. Ale, who has cultivated an image as an aggressive and action-oriented minister, has made the upgrade of Dhangadhi Airport and the operation of Geta Medical College his main agendas.

In the 2079 election, the combined proportional representation votes for Maoist and Socialist parties were around 6,500, but Ale claims his personal influence will reverse the results.

Chand, the candidate from Rastriya Swatantra Party, is a resident of Dhangadhi-8. The wave in favor of RSP and his local status in Dhangadhi give him some advantage. He has previously established himself as an activist in education and public health.

Chand, who served as an associate professor at Tribhuvan University for 17 years and holds a PhD from the US, is known as the 'intellectual candidate.' Chand, who has worked internationally on tobacco control campaigns, has made good governance, education, and science his main agendas.

In 2079, RSP received 4,455 votes proportionally here. Chand claims this vote count will increase significantly due to the growing craze for new and alternative political forces.

Youth leader Roshan Shahi of Rastriya Prajatantra Party also enjoys good popularity here. In 2079, RPP received 6,947 votes here, which was more than the votes for Maoist and Socialist parties combined. As a young candidate, Shahi is also expected to draw significant votes. Other smaller parties are also gearing up to increase their influence in this area.