Political Showdown in Achham-1: Veteran Leader Bhim Rawal Challenges Former Party Amid Shifting Alliances

Dhangadhi. Bhim Bahadur Rawal is a name recognized not only in Sudurpashchim Province but also in national politics. Having been active in CPN-UML politics for decades and playing a role in organizing the party in Sudurpashchim, parliamentary elections are not new to Rawal.

For Rawal, who is contesting for the House of Representatives seat from Achham Constituency No. 1 in the upcoming elections, this election is different and crucial compared to all previous ones. He is entering the fray with a different election symbol than before, and he is surrounded by the challenge of having to win against CPN-UML, the party to which he contributed to building and expanding the organization for decades.

What is interesting is that Deepak Bahadur Saud, who challenged Rawal and UML from the Maoist party in the same constituency 12 years ago, is now the UML candidate, while Rawal is the candidate of the CPN, formed by the merger of the then Maoist, CPN (Unified Socialist), and other parties.

In the 2070 Second Constituent Assembly election, Bhim Rawal was an influential candidate for UML, while Deepak Saud was the candidate from the Maoist party. Rawal won that election based on his personal influence and the strength of his strong organization. Saud, who is now backed by a strong organization, is contesting against Rawal, who succeeded in establishing influence in Sudurpashchim largely due to Rawal's efforts. Rawal faces the challenge of establishing the CPN by uniting the votes of the former Maoist and Unified Socialist cadres along with his personal influence.

In the 2079 House of Representatives election, UML had given the ticket to Jhapet Bohara from this constituency. Bohara, who got the ticket sidelining Bhim Rawal, failed to secure the result in his favor. He was defeated by Sher Bahadur Kunwar of the then CPN (Unified Socialist). While Kunwar won by securing 19,534 votes, Bohara had to settle for 15,045 votes.

This time, Jhapet Bohara, who is also the in-charge of UML in Achham, paved the way for Deepak Saud, claiming it would ensure victory. The UML's decision to field Saud seems to be a strategy to attract votes from the Maoist background and defeat Rawal with his former competitor.

The contest in Achham-1 in the past election appears very tight. In the 2079 election, UML received 13,968 votes under the Proportional Representation system here. UML's strategy is to secure this core vote base of around 14,000 and increase its vote count further.

On the other hand, Bhim Rawal's focus is on the disgruntled votes from UML and votes from other communist factions. In 2079, CPN (Maoist Centre) received 7,228 votes and CPN (Unified Socialist) received 2,747 votes under PR. The total votes of these two parties are about 10,300. Rawal appears to be aiming for victory by pulling this vote bank of the then Maoist and Unified Socialist towards him, along with securing some UML votes using his personal influence.

Rawal, who has been contesting parliamentary elections since 2048, faced defeat in his first election. He was elected in 2051, 2070, and 2074 BS.

Many voters here feel that UML has wronged Rawal. "The party has done injustice to him. We must do justice to a leader who stands firm on the issue of nationality," said Bir Bahadur Saud of Achham. The possibility that Rawal can garner votes and sympathy from disgruntled UML members, who feel that a leader who has contributed for years is being driven out while a leader who recently joined the party is being given the ticket, cannot be ruled out.

Voters in Achham are also aware of the changed political situation following the Janji movement. Some voters have expressed their resolve to stand in favor of change. Suresh Tamrakar, a local of Sanfebagar Municipality, stated that he would stand for change this time. "We vote for those who work, we don't look at the party. We vote based on the individual," he said.

Nepali Congress is preparing to win here after a long time. Bharat Kumar Swar is the Congress candidate here. Congress has not won this constituency since 2056 BS.

Congress's strategy is to capitalize on the fight between Rawal and Saud to secure victory. "It seems the communist vote will be significantly divided; if we can secure our own votes, it will be easier to win," said Swar. However, internal factionalism within the party presents a challenge for Congress to secure its votes.

In Achham-1, smaller parties and independent candidates are also active in showing their presence. Om Prakash Rawal of the currently discussed Rastriya Swatantra Party is campaigning door-to-door to attract the votes of the new generation. RSP, which received 785 votes under PR in the 2079 election, wants to convert the frustration of the youth into votes this time.

Similarly, Lokendra Bahadur Shah of RPP is aiming to increase votes by carrying the agenda of a Hindu nation and monarchy. Lokendra Shahi of Biplav-led CPN, Surendra Shahi of Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party, and independent candidate Bhim Bahadur Kunwar have also heated up the election atmosphere.

Although seven political parties and one independent candidate are in the field here, the main competition appears to be triangular. In this triangular contest between UML, Congress, and CPN, parties like RSP are trying to create an atmosphere in favor of change to achieve a favorable result for themselves.