High-Stakes Electoral Battle Heats Up in Jhapa-2 as Former Speaker and Deputy Speaker Vie for Seat

Jhapa. As the date for the House of Representatives election on Falgun 21 approaches, electoral activities are intensifying in Jhapa Constituency No. 2. The political atmosphere in this constituency has become even more interesting with the incumbent Speaker and Deputy Speaker, former ministers, Constituent Assembly members, legal experts, and youth activists entering the electoral fray.

A total of 18 candidates, including 15 political parties and three independent candidates, are competing in this constituency. Candidates in the race include former Speaker Devraj Ghimire from CPN (UML), Sarita Prasai from Nepali Congress, Dharmashila Chapagain from the Communist Party of Nepal, former Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Bhadra Prasad Nepal from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Ramesh Kumar Rajbanshi from Janmat Party, Chandrakumari Garu from Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party, Akkal Bahadur Tamang from Mongol National Organization, Man Bahadur Pulami Magar from Nepal Janamukti Party, and Shree Prasad Sitaula from the Communist Party of Nepal (United).

Similarly, Amrita Lawati from the Federal Democratic National Forum, Keshav Kumar Bhandari from the Shram Sanskriti Party, Arjun Kumar Pandey from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), Chuda Karna Beggha from the Ujyalo Nepal Party, Til Bahadur Rai from the Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepal, and independents Punnya Prasad Acharya, Ramesh Kumar Karki, and Dr. Yubaraj Sangraula are in the electoral field.

This constituency encompasses Arjun Dhara Municipality, Kankai Municipality-Wards 8 and 9, Buddhashanti Rural Municipality-Wards 1, 2, and 3, and Birtamod Municipality-Wards 1 through 9. According to the Election Commission, there are 147,522 registered voters, with 165 polling centers designated across 49 polling stations.

In the previous House of Representatives election in BS 2079, UML's Ghimire won by securing 28,716 votes. Bhadra Prasad Nepal, who contested as an independent candidate in that election, finished as the runner-up with 26,455 votes.

At that time, Harikumar Rana Magar of the then CPN (Maoist Centre) received 13,930 votes, while RSP's Rudra Prasad Giri garnered 8,781 votes. This time, the runner-up from the last election, Bhadra Prasad Nepal, is contesting again from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

According to the Commission's data, in the proportional representation category of the BS 2079 election, CPN (UML) received the highest number of votes at 26,490. Rastriya Swatantra Party received 22,517, Nepali Congress received 15,498, Rastriya Prajatantra Party received 7,880, CPN (Maoist Centre) received 3,386, and CPN (Unified Socialist) received 1,169 votes.

In the last election, there was an alliance between UML and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, while Congress and CPN (Unified Socialist) supported the candidate from Maoist Centre.

Looking at the electoral history of this constituency, Pabitra Kharel of CPN (UML) was elected in the House of Representatives election of 2074 BS. In the Second Constituent Assembly election of 2070 BS, Prem Giri of CPN (UML) was elected, and in the First Constituent Assembly election, Dharmashila Chapagain of the then CPN (Maoist) was elected. Before the 2064 BS election, CPN (UML) had consistently won elections in this area since 2047 BS.

UML candidate Ghimire, the incumbent Speaker, stated that he has initiated many incomplete development projects during his short three-year tenure and needs the public's support again to complete them. He said, "Fencing wire was installed on the Deuniya River for security in elephant-affected areas, road expansion took place at the main junctions of Birtamod–Arjundhara–Buddhashanti, and the Bhadrapur–Birtamod four-lane road is in its final stages. I have always worked closely with the landless, farmers, and the underprivileged."

RSP candidate and incumbent Deputy Speaker Rana Magar expressed confidence in her strong presence based on her experience of being born and raised in this area and supporting helpless and orphaned children. She stated, "I am contesting to continue the development work started in my capacity as Deputy Speaker and to complete the important tasks remaining in constitution-making. My commitment is to further strengthen social justice and inclusivity through the constitution."

Nepali Communist Party candidate and former Minister Chapagain announced a plan to make Birtamod a 'Smart City' by upgrading it to a sub-metropolitan city. She said, "I am working to establish a temporary shelter for women in Birtamod to build safe housing for helpless women and sisters. The goal is to connect youth with tourism by linking Kechana to Kanchenjunga via road, and to link Sadutar Jaleshwor Dham and Garamuni's Durga Temple with religious tourism."

Nepali Congress candidate Prasai stated that the younger generation should take the lead now and emphasized the need for youth-friendly laws and policy-making. She mentioned a plan to make women and youth self-reliant by engaging them in the agricultural sector.

Independent candidate and former Attorney General Dr. Sangraula stated that legal reform and constitutional amendment are necessary, and he is contesting to reach parliament to lead the country in the right direction. RPP candidate Nepal stated that his main 'agenda' is the protection of a Hindu state and eternal religion.

While the candidates claim victory, local citizens emphasized that the new representative should focus on creating an environment for investment in agriculture, energy, and industry. Mehar Magar, a resident of Arjundhara-8, said, "If agricultural revolution and investment in small industries can be increased, Arjundhara, Birtamod, and the hilly region will prosper. We need a parliamentarian who promotes investment in education, health, and small industries and understands the problems of farmers closely."

Similarly, Krishna Chudal of Birtamod-4 also stated the need for a visionary parliamentarian who can establish a medical hub, educational development, and an industrial park in the Chharpane area for the overall development of Birtamod, based on business experience.

The multifaceted development plans, high-profile candidates, and high local expectations have made this election in Jhapa-2 a center of widespread interest.