KATHMANDU: Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Chairman of the Nepal Samajwadi Party (NSP), has expressed regret over vacating his Gorkha Constituency-2 for Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”, labeling it as a serious misstep.”

Former Prime Minister Bhattarai, currently in his hometown of Gorkha with his wife Hisila Yami, lamented vacating his constituency for Prachanda in the last general elections.

Prachanda’s subsequent victory in the election, through an alliance with the Nepali Congress after Bhattarai’s departure, left Bhattarai rueful.

His attempt to aid Prachanda’s victory was met with disappointment as their relationship soured post-election.

Despite envisioning a Socialist Front (Samajwadi Morcha), Prachanda’s actions, including splitting the party, left Bhattarai disheartened.

Prachanda’s ability to attract key members from the Nepal Samajwadi Party exacerbated Bhattarai’s frustrations.

Now, Bhattarai finds himself contesting the 2084 BS elections from Gorkha-2 independently, after refurbishing a neglected residence in his hometown.

Reflecting on social media, Dr. Bhattarai acknowledged criticisms from constituents and party members, attributing his departure from Gorkha-2 in the last election to a perceived weakness in his commitment to Gandhian ideals and self-sacrifice.

He lamented the country’s political regression, seeing it fall back into a cyclic pursuit of power rather than genuine progress after the significant political upheaval.