Rastriya Swatantra Party Candidate Leading in Surkhet-2, Capital of Karnali Province

Surkhet. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) appears poised for victory in Surkhet-2, which is also the capital of Karnali Province.

According to the latest results, out of 42,345 votes counted in this constituency, RSP's Ramesh Kumar Sapkot is leading with 16,550 votes.

He currently holds a lead of over 6,500 votes over Nepali Congress candidate Narayan Koirala.

Koirala, who is in second place, has secured 9,952 votes, while CPN-UML candidate Kulmani Devkota has only received 7,915 votes. Similarly, CPN candidate Jhak Bahadur Malla has received 5,522 votes. The counting initially began from the rural areas of Chauukune, Panchpuri, and Bahataal in the west.

Initially, UML was leading, followed by Congress, and then UML took the lead again. However, in Panchpuri, RSP came ahead in most wards. Panchpuri was considered a stronghold for the Nepali Congress.

When counting began in the urban area of Birendranagar, the provincial capital, RSP surprised both Congress and UML by increasing its vote margin.

Birendranagar-1 is a stronghold for Congress, while Wards 3 and 4 are considered strongholds for UML. UML leaders often refer to these areas as their core areas.

However, RSP secured the leading votes in all these wards. Ward No. 4 is a fortress of UML and is the private residence area of UML Secretary and Karnali Chief Minister Yamalal Kandel, yet the 'Bell' symbol (RSP) received the highest 1,949 votes here. UML received 707 votes, and Congress received 475 votes here. CPN received 117 votes.

It is anticipated that RSP will secure the leading votes not just here but in many other wards as well.

Furthermore, in Surkhet-2, out of a total voter base of 127,668, 57.46 percent, or approximately 73,000 votes, have been cast.