Nepali Congress Suffers Significant Setback in Sudurpashchim Province Elections

Dhangadhi. The Nepali Congress has secured a weak result in the Sudurpashchim Province. Out of the 16 constituencies in the province, the Congress managed to win only 3 seats. Congress candidates were defeated in the remaining 13 constituencies. The Congress, which won 8 seats in the previous election in an alliance, has now shrunk to just 3 seats this time.

According to the final vote count results, the Congress only achieved victories in Bajura, Doti, and Achham Constituency No. 1. In Bajura, Congress's Janakraj Giri won by securing 17,173 votes, while in Doti, Bharat Bahadur Khadka secured a win with 14,897 votes. Similarly, in Achham Constituency No. 1, Bharat Bahadur Swar was elected after receiving 10,759 votes.

Congress was defeated in all five constituencies of Kailali, areas traditionally considered strongholds for the party. Among those defeated in the election is Janakraj Chaudhary in Kailali-1, who received 12,867 votes. In Constituency No. 2, Bijay Bahadur Swar was defeated, securing 7,213 votes. In Constituency No. 3, Bhim Baduwal received 9,706 votes, while in Constituency No. 4, Gorakh Bahadur Bista received 11,301 votes, and in Constituency No. 5, Naranarayan Shah received 11,958 votes.

The situation for Congress remained similar in Kanchanpur. In Kanchanpur-1, Gopiprasad Upadhyaya was limited to 8,467 votes, while in Constituency No. 2, NP Saud was defeated with 10,827 votes. In Kanchanpur-3, Hari Prasad Bohara received only 9,443 votes. Furthermore, Nain Singh Mahar was defeated in Dadeldhura, securing 12,121 votes, and in Baitadi, Chatur Bahadur Chand failed to win despite securing 18,194 votes. In Bajhang, Prakash Rasaili Snehi was limited to 16,304 votes, and in Achham-2, Pushpa Bahadur Shah had to settle for 9,046 votes.

In the 2079 election held previously, the Congress appeared strong in Sudurpashchim when it formed an alliance with the Maoist and Unified Socialist parties. At that time, Dilendra Prasad Badu in Darchula, Badri Prasad Pandey in Bajura, Pushpa Bahadur Shah in Achham-2, Bir Bahadur Balayar in Kailali-4, and Dilliraj Pant in Kailali-5 were victorious. Additionally, NP Saud in Kanchanpur-2, Ramesh Lekhak in Kanchanpur-3, and Sher Bahadur Deuba in Dadeldhura secured victories, totaling 8 seats for Congress. This time, however, the Congress has shrunk to 3 seats, failing to retain its old legacy.