Candidates Intensify Campaigning in Gorkha-1 as Voters Seek Answers on Controversial Figures

Campaigning for the upcoming House of Representatives elections has intensified. In line with this, candidates in Gorkha-1 have also accelerated their campaign activities.

Ramchandra Lamichhane of CPN-UML, Premkumar Khatri of Nepali Congress, Hariraj Adhikari of the Communist Party of Nepal, Kedarmani Khanal of RPP, and Bishnuprasad Rijal of the CPN (Maoist Centre), among others, are campaigning with their respective agendas.

Meanwhile, RSP's Suden Gurung is aiming to capitalize on the perceived wave in favor of his party, attempting to strike while the iron is hot. Although he has not put forward any specific agenda, he appears to be striving to gather votes based on the current momentum favoring his party.

Gurung, who lacks political experience, surprisingly managed to secure a ticket from RSP just before the nomination filing deadline. Although international media outlets have portrayed him as a hero of the historic 'GenZ' youth movement of 2025 and a grassroots leader, this narrative does not seem to have significantly impacted voters in Gorkha. On Nepali social media and local forums, he has been heavily criticized as a cunning propagandist and opportunist connected to foreign networks. He has shown no interest in addressing these criticisms.

After the GenZ movement, Gurung claimed his main role was in managing the movement, asserting it as a successful popular uprising. Gurung, who initially showed support for interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki after the movement, later abruptly changed his stance. At an event organized by the Reporters' Club, his supporters attacked journalists, and he subsequently threatened further agitation.

He increased his visibility by claiming a conspiracy to assassinate him, visiting the burnt Singha Durbar, and demanding the Home Minister's resignation. There was also opposition claiming he interfered in several matters of state governance. Some youths active in the GenZ movement questioned his role.

As criticism mounted, Suden distanced himself from taking full responsibility for the movement, stating that his organization, 'Hami Nepal,' was focused solely on humanitarian work. He filed a case alleging a plot to kill him against leaders including KP Sharma Oli, and CPN-UML filed a counter-complaint accusing him of inciting violence.

During this period, Gurung faced serious allegations of collusion with foreign powers, particularly the US Embassy and the pro-Tibet 'TOB' group. The issue of making 'Students for a Free Tibet,' which receives US aid, a partner of his organization, and secret coordination with US Embassy staff during the movement, lent credence to accusations of geopolitical maneuvering against him.

Although Gurung refuted these allegations as misinformation spread by a state-sponsored 'cyber army,' the suspicion remained unresolved. Furthermore, he faced additional criticism for remaining silent on corruption in hydropower projects linked to his supporters and for failing to demonstrate financial transparency in his organization.

Before casting their votes, voters in Gorkha-1 are showing interest in understanding the candidates' clear agendas and seeking answers to the various questions raised about them. However, voters complain that Suden Gurung often evades questions directed at him.

Even long-time cadres of RSP admit that questions have been raised about Gurung. While voters question Gurung's past and controversial role, they argue that it is up to Gurung himself to answer them. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an old RSP cadre stated, 'We were preparing for the election and candidacy in a certain way here. Suddenly, the decision to make Gurung the candidate came from above. We were not consulted about this.'