KATHMANDU: Morang, historically a stronghold of the Nepali Congress and the influential Koirala family, witnessed a dramatic political shift as the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won all six constituencies in the district.
Long-established Congress leaders, including Dr. Shekhar Koirala, were defeated, marking a significant departure from past electoral trends where new candidates rarely succeeded in Morang.
In Morang-1, RSP candidate Yagya Mani Neupane, a permanent resident of Jhapa-5, won unexpectedly with 27,337 votes, defeating Shanti Pakhrin of the Shram Sanskriti Party who secured 17,522 votes and Nepali Congress candidate Khadkabhadur Phago who received 11,986 votes. Close rival Pakhrin trailed by 9,845 votes, while UML’s Ghanshyam Khatiwada came fourth with 9,823 votes. Neupane, known for advocating political transparency, overturned the district’s longstanding allegiance to Congress, which had seen Dikbahadur Limbu win this constituency in the previous election.
In Morang-2, RSP’s Krishnakumar Karki defeated Congress heavyweight Dr. Minendra Rijal, securing 40,924 votes while UML candidate Dilipkumar Agrawal came second with 15,624 votes and Rijal finished third with 12,764 votes. This constituency had previously been considered a Congress bastion, historically represented by Girija Prasad Koirala and later his daughter Sujata Koirala.
Morang-3 saw another unexpected result as RSP ideological leader Ganesh Karki won 36,924 votes against Congress candidate Sunil Sharma, who received 24,354 votes. Shram Sanskriti Party’s Amar Magar placed third with 16,509 votes. Despite being initially considered an underdog, Karki’s victory highlights the growing appeal of RSP’s youth-driven campaign.
In Morang-4, journalist and RSP candidate Santosh Rajbanshi defeated Congress General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire, securing 40,833 votes to Ghimire’s 12,818. This constituency had previously been won by Maoist candidate Amal Lal Modi in 2022, who received 10,762 votes this election. Rajbanshi’s unexpected win underscores the influence of RSP’s nationwide momentum and youth support.
Morang-5 returned RSP candidate Asha Jha, a local social activist, with 30,434 votes. Congress candidate Phool Kumar Lalbani received 9,415 votes while Janata Samajbadi Party candidate Rajkumar Yadav secured 874 votes. Jha’s victory confirms the district’s appetite for new leadership despite initial skepticism.
Finally, in Morang-6, young RSP leader Rubina Acharya achieved a remarkable win over Congress candidate Dr. Shekhar Koirala, securing 55,513 votes to Koirala’s 12,850. UML’s Vinod Dhakal received 8,317 votes. Acharya’s victory is considered surprising and highlights a growing preference for alternative political voices among the youth and local electorate. The margin of 42,663 votes emphasizes the decisive nature of her win, and Acharya has promised inclusive governance that meets public expectations.
Political analysts say RSP’s comprehensive sweep of Morang demonstrates a shift in political dynamics, weakening the influence of traditional power centers and signaling the rise of a new generation of leaders. They note that the nationwide trend shows no incumbent leader or established party is secure, as RSP is poised to win up to 125 direct seats across Nepal.
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