High Stakes Battle in Bhaktapur-2: Mahesh Basnet Faces Social Media Critic Rajeev Khatri in Tight Electoral Contest

Bhaktapur. As the date for the House of Representatives election approaches, significant interest is growing in Bhaktapur Constituency No. 2. CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet is a strong candidate in this constituency.

While leaders of other political parties were hesitant to appear publicly following the 'Jyanji' protests, UML's Basnet took to the streets with his supporters. He organized an event at the UML headquarters in Chyasal to boost the morale of the cadres. Amidst public uncertainty about UML Chairman Oli, who suddenly resigned as Prime Minister after the Jyanji movement, Basnet welcomed him in Gundu.

Basnet is known for his sharp commentary on the violent aspects of the Jyanji movement on social media. Negative criticism rarely affects him.

Rajiv Khatri of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who has established himself as a staunch critic of Mahesh Basnet on social media, is also contesting the election from Bhaktapur-2. The fact that Basnet and Khatri, who are fierce critics of each other online, are competing in the same constituency has heightened interest in the results here. Basnet, who entered national politics after serving as a Ward Chairman, has a distinct image in Bhaktapur. Rajiv Khatri, 30, who emerged from a journalism background, is new to the political arena.

Kabir Rana of the Nepali Congress and Ramprasad Sapkota 'Deepshikha' of the Communist Party of Nepal are also candidates in Bhaktapur-2. Their strength lies more in their party organization than in personal influence.

Ujyalo Nepal Party has nominated Jitram Lama, Shram Sanskriti Party has nominated Arjun Basu, and Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party has nominated Janmadev Jaisi in this constituency.

Constituency No. 2 has a total of 98,356 voters. Among them, there are 48,074 male voters, 50,277 female voters, and 5 other voters.

The main competition in Bhaktapur-2 appears to be between the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and RSP. RSP considers disgruntled voters dissatisfied with older parties like Congress and UML as its strong base. Voters hold mixed views regarding the presence of new parties and independent candidates. While some state they must choose someone new, many others say they will choose a candidate capable of working.

The Bhaktapur-2 parliamentary constituency comprises Suryabinayak Municipality and Madhyapur Thimi Municipality. These two municipalities cover 19 wards.

Jagatkrishna Sama, a resident of Balkot, believes the competition in Bhaktapur-2 will be between UML and Congress. "If there is no internal rebellion within Congress, Congress might win," he said. "Congress has improved somewhat compared to before. The emergence of the younger generation like Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash in leadership is a good sign."

Jayaram Shrestha from the same constituency is in favor of choosing an alternative. "I have voted for all the old faces; none of them did anything," he said. "That's why I am now in favor of choosing an alternative."

Milan Nagarakoti from Gundu sees the competition primarily between UML and Congress. He believes it is not yet time to choose an alternative.

• Election Buzz Increases in Gundu Area

Electoral fervor has increased in Gundu, Ward No. 7 of Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur. Local residents offered mixed reactions regarding the work done by past governments and elected representatives. Some praised the improvements in roads, bridges, and the education sector. Most complained that the work was not as they wished and that soaring inflation added to their problems.

Many expressed disappointment as candidates failed to fulfill the promises made during election time while campaigning on development. The youth complain about having to go abroad due to a lack of employment and the high cost of education. They emphasized that the new representatives must create an environment conducive to job creation for the youth. Voters in the Gundu area are searching for leadership that will ensure the continuity of development.

Muna Basnet, 66, a local resident of Gundu, stated that Gundu has seen much more development than before. "We used to have to walk long distances carrying loads. Now there are roads, paths, and water facilities."

• Voters' Choice Changes Every Election in Bhaktapur-2

Voters in Bhaktapur Constituency No. 2 change their preference in every election. While Jagannath Acharya of the Nepali Congress was elected in 2048 BS, the subsequent elections saw Ashakaji Basukala of the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party elected in 2051 BS, Lekhnath Neupane of the Nepali Congress in 2056 BS, Sunil Prajapati of the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party in 2064 BS, Rameshwor Dhungel of the Nepali Congress in 2070 BS, Mahesh Basnet of CPN-UML in 2074 BS, and Durlabh Thapa of the Nepali Congress in 2079 BS elected from this constituency.

In the House of Representatives election held in 2079 BS, Nepali Congress candidate Durlabh Thapa received 24,239 votes. His competitor, Mahesh Basnet of UML, received 23,282 votes. Similarly, Anuradha Thapamagar of the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party received seven thousand 127 votes, Sajan Bik of the Rastriya Swatantra Party received four thousand 98, and Mosan KC of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party received two thousand 569 votes.

• Candidates' Agendas

UML candidate Mahesh Basnet introduces himself as a 'Charioteer of Crisis.' He claims to be a leader who delivers results, not just one who speaks or makes policies. "I will develop Bhaktapur as a center of opportunity and prosperity. During my tenure, work was done in infrastructure development, expansion of education and health services, and tourism promotion," he said. "I have played a significant role in the reconstruction of schools, historical heritage sites, and religious structures in Bhaktapur after the 2072 BS earthquake."

He stated that the rapid progress in infrastructure, education, health, tourism, and employment sectors in Bhaktapur was possible not just through plans but through strong willpower and continuous hard work. "The pace of development still needs to be accelerated," he said. "Bhaktapur still needs to be made a center of opportunity, employment, and prosperity."

RSP candidate Rajiv Khatri says the public needs a friend who listens, not a leader who only speaks. "We will be friends first, and representatives later," he said. He stated that his priority is not just changing individuals and parties but transforming misgovernance into good governance, bringing governance to the people, ending corruption and commission-taking, and ensuring development felt in the people's kitchens.

Janmadev Jaisi, who consistently advocates for working journalists, is the candidate from the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party. He has put forward a vision to make Bhaktapur a model area for production, employment, and good governance, not just a historical city. He stated that this election is an opportunity for youth with new ideas, not for re-electing the same old faces.

Ramprasad 'Sapkota' Deepshikha, the candidate from the Communist Party of Nepal, stated that his main agendas include the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage, making Guthi regulations practical and culture-friendly, and creating employment in education and health. He emphasized the construction of standard hospitals in all municipalities, upgrading existing hospitals, a free education campaign, and improving the standard of community schools and colleges.

"Campaigns for marketing local handicrafts, agriculture, local products, job creation through IT, 'My Municipality, My Production,' and self-employment will be launched," said Deepshikha.

Kabir Rana of the Nepali Congress stated that his agenda centers on easy access to education, health, agriculture, tourism, and clean drinking water. His plan is to formulate laws and regulations with the people's needs, development, and good governance as the main agenda.

"Many development and construction works remain unfinished in Bhaktapur," he said. "Bhaktapur faces problems with drinking water and irrigation. I will take initiative to solve those problems."