Five Former Security Personnel Elected to Parliament After Contesting Elections

Kathmandu. Eight former security personnel who had retired from their duties of law enforcement were in the electoral arena this time. Among them, the public endorsed five, paving their way to parliament. Those elected under the direct category range from former Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) to Additional Inspector General (AIG). However, two former IGPs faced defeat in the elections.

Former SSP Vikram Singh Thapa, known for his 'Singham' image in the police force, has been elected from Kapilvastu-2. Former police officers Bishwaraj Pokharel, Shambhu Prasad Dhakal 'Shambhu Suskera', Govinda Panthi, and Rajunath Pandey, who resigned as the chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police Force, have won the elections. All winning candidates secured their seats under the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

Former IGPs Sarbendra Khanal, Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan, and former Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Vijay Bahadur Swar were defeated by RSP candidates.

These individuals, seasoned from long service in the police force, the main unit responsible for law enforcement by the government, have now reached parliament, the supreme body for lawmaking. Former AIG Bishwaraj Pokharel was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives from Okhaldhunga. Pokharel defeated Nepali Congress candidate Kumar Luitel by a narrow margin of five votes in his home district's electoral field, according to the Election Commission. Pokharel secured 13,953 votes.

Rajunath Pandey secured his journey to parliament by defeating Kulman Ghising from Kathmandu Constituency No.-3. Pandey garnered 18,757 votes, while Ghising, the chairman of Ujyalo Nepal Party, stopped at 11,171 votes. Pandey, who became a parliamentarian from the security sector, is close to RSP senior leader Balen Shah.

Vikram Singh Thapa, known as 'Singham' within the Nepal Police, was an SSP when he left the force as the Kathmandu Police Chief. Thapa has been elected as a Member of the House of Representatives from Kapilvastu-2. Thapa, who was recommended by the Congress, joined the RSP and entered the electoral fray. He defeated Congress candidate Surendra Raj Acharya. Thapa was elected with 27,635 votes.
 
Shambhu Prasad Dhakal 'Shambhu Suskera' defeated UML candidate LP Sawba Limbu in Jhapa-4. Dhakal secured 43,631 votes, while LP Sawba was limited to 11,968 votes. Dhakal, elected from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is also the district secretary of RSP Jhapa.

Former DSP Govinda Panthi contested from Gulmi Constituency No.-2. Govinda Panthi filed his nomination from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). In Gulmi, Panthi will compete against UML candidate Gokul Bista, Congress's Bhuwan Shrestha, and CPN's Shriram Mahat. Panthi gained recognition for investigating extortion and human trafficking related to visit visas while serving at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office. Panthi told Ratopati that he contested from Gulmi to further strengthen the fight against corruption and the system of extortion. He stated, 'My fight will be against corruption and the system of extortion.'

Former DSP Govinda Panthi has been elected from Gulmi Constituency No.-2. Panthi, who contested from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), defeated UML candidate Gokul Bista.

'Heavyweight' candidate Gokul Bista is the Vice-Chairman of UML. Govinda Panthi secured 16,967 votes, while Bista stopped at 16,406 votes. Panthi gained recognition for investigating extortion and human trafficking related to visit visas while serving at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office.

Former ASI Vijay Bahadur Swar contested from Kailali-2 representing the Congress. He was defeated by RSP's KP Khanal. Swar finished in fourth place with 7,213 votes. He is the chairman of the Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs Federation.

Former IGP Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan was defeated in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West) Constituency No.-2. He was defeated by RSP candidate Narendra Kumar Gupta. Pradhan was limited to fourth place with 4,691 votes, while Gupta secured 44,138 votes. Pradhan was previously elected from the same constituency with 34,764 votes. He is a leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

Another former IGP, Sarbendra Khanal, was defeated in Bara-4. Khanal, who is also the chairman of the Rastriya Parivartan Party, finished in 10th position among the competitors. He secured 464 votes. Rahbar Ansari of the RSP won the election in that constituency with 41,200 votes.

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