Social Innovator Mahabir Pun Wins Parliamentary Seat in Myagdi as Independent Candidate

Myagdi. Social activist and founder of the National Innovation Center, Mahabir Pun, has secured a landslide victory in the House of Representatives election from Myagdi, paving his way to parliament. Defying party dominance and organizational strength, the 71-year-old Pun achieved a historic success as an independent candidate. In the election, he defeated CPN (UML) candidate Harikrishna Shrestha by a significant margin of 14,931 votes. Pun garnered 22,850 votes, leaving his closest competitor, Shrestha, far behind.

Pun, who previously served as the Minister for Education, Science and Technology in the interim government, resigned from his post on Magh 4 and announced his entry into the electoral arena. Unable to achieve his desired outcomes due to pressure from vested interests and political interference while in office, he returned to his birthplace seeking the support of the people. Pun's victory, hailing from Nagi in Annapurna Rural Municipality-8, Myagdi, shatters the illusion in Nepali politics that elections can only be won through money, power, and organization.

Pun's campaign style was distinctly different and simple compared to other leaders. He avoided ostentatious campaigning, opting instead for informal dialogue with voters and maximum use of social media. Remarkably, he collected financial support for his campaign directly from the voters. Even after winning, he set another example of simplicity by urging his supporters to refrain from victory celebrations or extravagance. According to Bishnu Prasad Acharya, an associate professor at Myagdi Multiple Campus, the voters judged Pun based on his personality and contributions, rising above temptation, promises, and fear.

Pun, who holds a master's degree from the University of Nebraska in the United States, drew global attention two decades ago by bringing wireless internet (Wi-Fi) to villages across Myagdi. Due to his contributions to information technology, education, and rural tourism, he received the 'Magsaysay Award' in 2007, often considered Asia's Nobel Prize. He has invested millions earned from selling his personal property and his autobiography into operating the Innovation Center and the Birgunj Agricultural Tools Factory.

He will now be the only non-partisan member in the House of Representatives. After being elected, Pun committed to ending the politicization rampant in schools and universities and focusing on policy formulation to improve technical education. The mandate given by the people of Myagdi has sent a strong message that future politics should be based on integrity and performance.