Electoral Heat Rises in Dailekh as Familiar Rivals Face Off in Upcoming House of Representatives Polls

Dailekh. Electoral fervor has reached its peak in both constituencies of Dailekh for the House of Representatives election scheduled for February 21. The competition here is set to be interesting and challenging as leaders who previously cooperated or were staunch rivals in past elections are once again facing each other in the electoral arena.

Specifically, in Constituency No. 1, the Nepali Congress has fielded its own candidate after a long time, while Constituency No. 2 is expected to see a multi-cornered contest involving established parties and new forces.

Constituency No. 1: Congress's Return and the Challenge of Female Leadership. The Nepali Congress, which did not field a candidate in the 2074 and 2079 elections due to electoral alliances, has put forward Basana Thapa in Dailekh Constituency No. 1 this time. Thapa is the first female candidate to contest from the Congress in Dailekh's parliamentary history.

Her main competitors in this constituency are Rabindra Raj Sharma of the CPN (UML) and Ambar Bahadur Thapa of the CPN (Maoist Centre). Sharma was the winner in 2074 and the closest runner-up in 2079, while Thapa is the incumbent MP elected from the then-alliance in the 2079 election.

In the 2079 election, Thapa won by securing 18,297 votes, while Sharma received 17,445 votes. With the Congress fielding its own candidate this time and Nandakishor Basnet in the field from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), curiosity is growing about where the vote count will lean.

Striving to Create History

A tough competition is anticipated among four political streams in Constituency No. 2. The Nepali Congress has renominated Dikpal Kumar Shahi to protect its legacy. Shahi was narrowly victorious in 2079 with support from the Maoist Centre and CPN (Unified Socialist). Former Constituent Assembly member Laxmi Prasad Pokharel is in the electoral field representing the CPN (UML).

The UML, which was defeated by a margin of only 167 votes in the 2079 election, is aiming to reclaim its lost prestige this time. On the other hand, the presence of CPN (Maoist Centre) candidate and former Vice-Chairman of the Karnali Province Planning Commission, Yogendra Bahadur Shahi, is expected to alter the arithmetic here.

It is analyzed that due to his intellectual image and old UML background, he could cut into the votes of both major parties. With Engineer Bakhat Bahadur Shahi contesting from the RSP, a four-way contest in this constituency is certain.

Old and New Faces

The reappearance of old and 'familiar' faces in both Dailekh constituencies has resulted in a mix of enthusiasm and disappointment among voters. As old rivals face off again, their personal influence and party organization appear to be the main basis for victory.

However, local political analysts conclude that the entry of new and intellectual candidates has put the 'tested' leaders on the defensive. Vishnu Sharma, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Karnali Province, stated that with local tourism entrepreneurs, women's rights activists, and intellectual figures entering the fray, the inclination of young and neutral voters might shift towards the new forces.

According to the District Election Office, Dailekh has a total of 161,204 voters. 79,701 voters in Constituency No. 1 and 81,503 voters in Constituency No. 2 will exercise their sovereign right to vote on February 21. Which candidate, among those whose main agendas are development, good governance, and capable leadership, will emerge victorious will be clarified only by the final election results.