KATHMANDU: Political parties have begun strategic preparations for the upcoming by-election in Rupandehi Constituency-3, with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) determined to defend its stronghold and the Nepali Congress aiming to avenge its narrow defeat in the last general election.
The Election Commission has scheduled the by-election for November 3, following the death of RPP lawmaker Deepak Bohora earlier this year. Bohora had defeated then-Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand of the Nepali Congress in the 2022 parliamentary elections, winning 36,717 votes to Khand’s 34,036.
In that election, the CPN-UML supported RPP, while Congress was backed by the CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist). Proportional representation (PR) results show Congress leading in the constituency with 20,279 votes, followed by UML with 16,986 and RPP with 9,183.
Other notable contenders in the last election included the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) Jit Bahadur Gupta Teli (5,769 votes), the Nagarik Unmukti Party’s (NUP) Tulsi Prasad Tharu (4,751), and the Janamat Party’s Pramod Kumar Raut (3,317).
RPP Focuses on unity and candidate selection
RPP leaders say their campaign will center on retaining the seat. The party recently held a regional gathering in Rupandehi-3 addressed by central chair Rajendra Lingden.
According to district chair Sagar Pratap Rana, RPP has already recommended six names to the central committee for candidate selection, including central members Basant Bikram Shahi and Swati Thapa, district chair Rana, and Bohora’s sons, Gaurav (a pilot) and Prajjwal (an engineer), as well as legal professional Dilip Mallik.
“The central committee will finalize the candidate, and all aspirants will unite behind that choice,” Rana said, adding that grassroots mobilization and publicity work have already begun. The party’s central committee has formed an election mobilization committee led by senior vice-chair Dhruva Bahadur Pradhan.
Nepali Congress targets a comeback
For Nepali Congress, the by-election offers a chance to reverse the unexpected loss of its high-profile leader Khand. The party has launched ward-level gatherings across all 36 wards of the constituency to gather feedback for its campaign strategy.
Regional president Sushil Gurung said central leaders, including general secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma, have visited the district to hold discussions with local cadres. “We’ve held seven meetings so far to discuss the way forward,” Gurung said.
While Nepali Congress has yet to start its formal candidate selection process, Gurung noted that some leaders have expressed informal interest. “Official nominations will only be discussed once the central committee sets a deadline,” he added.
With both parties mobilizing early, Rupandehi-3 is shaping up for a competitive by-election battle that could test alliance strategies and voter loyalties in Lumbini Province.
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