Morang-3 Election Battleground: Nepali Congress Candidate Dr. Sunil Sharma Seen as Frontrunner Amidst Strong Service Politics

Morang. With only a few days left until the date for the House of Representatives election, speculation has begun regarding who will win in Morang Electoral Constituency Number 3. Looking at the ground situation and voter psychology, Nepali Congress candidate Dr. Sunil Sharma appears stronger than his competitors.

Although defeated by a narrow margin in the 2074 election, Dr. Sharma did not abandon the constituency after the loss. Instead, he continuously stood by the people in their joys and sorrows. As a result of this dedication, in the 2079 election, he registered a resounding victory by defeating CPN-UML's heavyweight leader Bhanubhakta Dhakal by a wide margin of over 22,000 votes.

Due to Dr. Sharma's popularity, influential UML leader Dhakal had to leave this constituency and flee to Tehrathum this time, which is viewed in political circles as a moral and political victory for Sharma.

The strongest aspect of Dr. Sunil Sharma is his politics of service. Through Nobel Medical College, which he owns, he has been providing free medical treatment services to the residents of Morang-3 based on their citizenship. He has continued health camps and free treatment both before and after winning the election.

The assurance that they can knock on the hospital door during times of crisis gives Sharma a strong hold among poor and middle-class families. His election agenda is also focused on making health services stronger and more accessible.

UML has fielded Iran Rai this time. However, after the influential leader left the constituency, some disappointment is visible within the UML ranks.

Similarly, Ganesh Karki from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Dr. Deuman Sambahamphe from the Communist Party are in the field. They are also striving for victory.

Although the RSP is gaining some traction on social media and in urban areas, many voters in rural areas appear inclined to choose Dr. Sharma as the leader who helps in times of crisis.

Bishnu Ghimire of Sundarharaicha said, ‘We will give the vote in the direct election to the Doctor only. The proportional vote will go to others.’

Although the votes of Maoist and Unified Socialist parties will be divided this time, it is analyzed that Sharma's personal popularity will easily bridge that gap. The 48,631 votes Dr. Sharma received in the previous election are the highest in the history of this constituency. The fact that the vote difference with the UML was nearly double confirms how deep Sharma's influence is here. Although the UML has a strong presence at the local level, voters in the House of Representatives elections tend to look for a capable and philanthropic individual rather than just the party. Conscious voters in Sundarharaicha, Belbari, and Pathari appreciate the contribution Sharma has made to development infrastructure and health services.

Although there is some talk of new parties in the constituency, dedicated voters like 85-year-old Shadananda Ghimire still trust the work of the Congress and Sharma. ‘We will vote for the one who helps in times of trouble,’ said a local from Belbari.

Dr. Sharma is trying to make the free treatment of the locals the basis of his victory.

The contest in Morang-3 is between doctors and degree holders. Dr. Deuman Sambahamphe holds a Ph.D. Dr. Sunil Sharma is a celebrity doctor. He has not only obtained degrees but has also proven himself by providing employment to thousands and treatment to lakhs.

Overall, although new and old forces are trying to challenge in Morang-3, other candidates seem overshadowed by Dr. Sunil Sharma's politics of service and philanthropic image. There is a large number of degree holders with higher education here.

CPN-UML's 55-year-old candidate Iran Kumar Rai (M.A., B.Ed.), Rastriya Urjashil Party's 46-year-old Bhuwankumar Wagle (Postgraduate), Rastriya Swatantra Party's (RSP) 40-year-old Ganesh Karki (Postgraduate), and United Citizen Party's 46-year-old Bidur Adhikari (M.A.) have made the electoral field intellectual.

There are a total of 158,057 voters in this constituency. 55 polling stations and 179 polling centers have been arranged for them.

A dense presence of voters is observed in wards 1 to 4 and 8 to 11 of Belbari Municipality, where ward number 4 has the highest number of 7,381 voters. Similarly, among the 6 wards of Sundarharaicha Municipality, ward number 10 has 8,530 voters, while 8 wards of Pathari Shanishchare Municipality and 4 wards of Kanepokhari Rural Municipality fall under this electoral constituency.