KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
HoR member elections: 2925 candidates file nominations as of 6.00 pm today
A total of 2,925 candidates have registered their nominations in 165 constituencies across the country towards the first-past-the-post electoral system of the House of Representatives (HoR) member elections to be held on coming March 5 as of 6.00 pm this evening. At a press conference organized by the Election Commission (EC) this evening after the filing of the candidacies, Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut informed that the registration of 336 female and 2,589 male candidates has appeared in the EC’s system. The number may still increase since the task of verification is underway in some electoral constituencies, he said.
Rebellion from Congress and UML to RSP: Where have rebel candidacies emerged?
As nominations were filed on Tuesday for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, dissatisfaction and rebellion has surfaced across several constituencies. Rebel candidacies have emerged not only in smaller parties but also within major political forces, including the CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), signalling deep internal rifts during the ticket distribution process.
Deuba faction complains about Congress candidates: Gagan allegedly disrespected senior leaders
The Nepali Congress parliamentary board has finalized candidates for all 165 constituencies, with the final list announced at the last moment by party president Gagan Kumar Thapa. Following the announcement, the faction aligned with former president Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed dissatisfaction. A source close to the Deuba camp told Khabarhub on Tuesday that the candidate selection by Thapa’s side has undermined the party’s vote share.
Rastriya Swatantra Party registers candidates in 164 constituencies
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has filed candidacies for the House of Representatives in 164 constituencies across Nepal. Anil Gurung from Manang is the only RSP candidate whose nomination has not yet been registered. Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, the party leader and RSP candidate from Kathmandu-8, confirmed that nominations have been completed in all constituencies except Manang. He noted that delays in Manang may have caused the candidate’s registration to be pending.
A dozen of journalists in election fray
More than a dozen of journalists have filed their candidacies for the March 5 election to the House of Representatives (HoR), marking a notable shift from newsroom to active politics. Although the trend of journalists stepping into politics is not new in Nepal, their participation has witnessed a noticeable surge in the upcoming election.
Ticket crunch puts political futures at risk: from Congress ‘nepo babies’ to critics of Oli
With the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, dozens of leaders from the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML appear set to be pushed out of parliamentary politics. While some leaders are stepping aside due to age and others after failing to secure party tickets, a few have chosen to voluntarily end their parliamentary careers. At the same time, pressure generated by the Gen-Z-led protests of September 8–9, particularly the demand for generational change in politics, has also affected internal party dynamics, forcing several senior leaders toward the margins.
Rabi Lamichhane reacts after Parsa court sets Rs 10 million bail in cooperative fraud case
The Parsa District Court has ordered the release of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane on a bail of Rs 10 million in connection with a cooperative fraud case. Following the court order on Tuesday, Lamichhane responded through a social media post, stating that although the country is in an election atmosphere and nomination-related activities are underway, he has been unable to fully participate due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Leaders denied tickets by Oli campaign for UML candidates
Leaders who were denied election tickets after challenging CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli at the party’s 11th general convention have nonetheless taken to the campaign trail to support UML candidates in the ongoing parliamentary elections. Although Oli withheld tickets from leaders who had questioned his leadership style and capacity, many of them have actively joined efforts to ensure the party’s victory in their respective constituencies.
Sudhan Gurung files candidacy from Gorkha-1
Gen Z leader Sudhan Gurung has filed his candidacy from Gorkha Constituency No. 1 on behalf of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Gurung registered his nomination on Tuesday. He had formally joined the RSP on Sunday after visiting the party’s central office.
Balen Shah registers candidacy from Jhapa-5
Balen Shah has officially filed his candidacy for the House of Representatives from Jhapa-5 on Tuesday afternoon. Shah submitted his nomination at the Election Officer’s office located in Ward No. 8 of Damak Municipality. A significant turnout of party workers and supporters was seen during the registration, with many arriving in rallies and chanting slogans in support of Shah. The constituency is set for a high-profile contest as Shah will face CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, generating heightened political activity and public interest in Damak. Considering the large crowd and political significance, authorities deployed a strong security presence around the nomination site to maintain order.
UML Chair KP Sharma Oli files House candidacy from Jhapa-5
CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has filed his candidacy for the House of Representatives from Jhapa-5. Oli submitted his nomination at the Election Officer’s office located in Damak Municipality, Ward No. 8. Jhapa-5 has emerged as a high-profile constituency, with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) fielding Balen Shah and CPN-UML projecting Oli as its prime ministerial candidate. Earlier, Oli had inspected public structures in Jhapa-5 that were set on fire on September 8 and 9.
Clash erupts between UML and RSP supporters during nomination filing in Jhapa
A clash broke out between supporters of the CPN-UML and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Jhapa while candidates were filing their nominations on Tuesday. The incident occurred in Jhapa-5 as RSP supporters accompanying senior party leader and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, and supporters of former Prime Minister and UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, confronted each other while heading to register nominations with their respective entourages. Several supporters from both sides sustained minor injuries during the clash in Damak.
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa to contest from Sarlahi-4 in upcoming election
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa will contest the upcoming House of Representatives election from Sarlahi-4. Thapa, who had previously won three consecutive elections from Kathmandu-4, has decided to change his electoral constituency ahead of the polls. The move marks a significant shift for the party leader, who has been a prominent political figure in Kathmandu for years.
Sher Bahadur Deuba opts out of March 5 elections
Nepali Congress (NC) former President Sher Bahadur Deuba has decided not to contest the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections, ending his decades-long streak of electoral victories from Dadeldhura. His personal secretary, Bhanu Deuba, confirmed the decision, stating, “He has announced that he will not contest the elections.” Deuba served as Nepali Congress president in two consecutive terms, elected in 2072 BS and re-elected in 2078 BS. Following his reduced political activity after the Gen-Z movement, he handed over party responsibilities to Purna Bahadur Khadka as Acting President.
NC row: SC refuses interim order in case against Gagan Thapa
The Supreme Court (SC) has refused to grant an interim order on a writ petition challenging the Election Commission’s decision to recognize Gagan Thapa as President of the Nepali Congress (NC). A bench headed by Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel rejected the request for an interim order, clearing the way for Thapa to function fully as the party’s President. The special general convention of the Nepali Congress had formed a new Central Working Committee led by Thapa, which was subsequently recognized by the Election Commission. In response, the then acting President of the Nepali Congress, Purna Bahadur Khadka, and party President Sher Bahadur Deuba filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court. The petition names the Election Commission, Thapa, and Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma as respondents.
Parsa District Court orders Rs 10 million bail for Rabi Lamichhane
The District Court, Parsa, has ordered Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), to post a bail of Rs 10 million in connection with cases including cooperative fraud. A bench led by District Court Judge Rudra Prasad Subedi issued the order requiring Lamichhane to post bail of Rs 10 million on Tuesday. He is currently in the process of furnishing the bail. Lamichhane appeared before the court on Tuesday, where a hearing was held on his detention.
Jagadish Kharel joins RSP sparks internal conflict in Lalitpur-2
Former Communication Minister Jagadish Kharel has resigned from his post in the caretaker government and joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The day after joining RSP, Kharel filed his candidacy for the House of Representatives from Lalitpur-2. However, his sudden entry into Lalitpur-2 has triggered tension within the party. Buddharatna Maharjan was previously in the race for the same constituency ticket from RSP. Kharel securing the ticket over Maharjan has caused unrest in the party’s local committee. Kharel had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Monday after receiving the party ticket for Lalitpur-2. Before becoming a minister, he was an active member of the Nepali Congress.
PM Sushila Karki to assume charge of three vacant ministries
Following the resignation of three ministers, Prime Minister Sushila Karki will temporarily assume charge of the vacant ministries. The President’s Office stated that President Ram Chandra Poudel has assigned the responsibilities of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and Ministry of Youth and Sports to Prime Minister Karki. The ministries became vacant after Education, Science and Technology Minister Mahabir Pun, Communications and Information Technology Minister Jagdish Kharel, and Youth and Sports Minister Bablu Gupta submitted their resignations to the Prime Minister.
Ujyalo Nepal Party Chair Kulman Ghising files House candidacy from Kathmandu-3
Chairperson of the Ujyalo Nepal Party (UNP), Kulman Ghising, has filed his candidacy for the House of Representatives from Kathmandu Constituency No. 3. Ghising formally registered his nomination on Tuesday by visiting the Election Officer’s office. Party cadres were present during the nomination filing process.
Education Minister Mahabir Pun resigns, files independent candidacy from Myagdi
Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Mahabir Pun has resigned from his post and filed his independent candidacy for the House of Representatives from Myagdi. Pun submitted his nomination on Tuesday at the Chief Election Office in Beni ahead of the upcoming elections. The proposer for his independent candidacy is Chitra Tilija. Pun resigned from the government three days ago and has since launched his election campaign.
Nepali Congress fields Mahar in Dadeldhura as Deuba opts out of race
The Nepali Congress has decided to field a new candidate from Dadeldhura after former party president and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba announced that he will not contest the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Following Deuba’s decision to step aside, the party has awarded the Dadeldhura ticket to Nain Singh Mahar. Deuba had contested elections from the constituency seven times in the past. The decision comes as the newly elected executive committee, formed after the Nepali Congress special general convention, has requested Deuba to remain in the role of party patron and provide guidance in an advisory capacity. Ahead of the candidate registration process for the March 5 House of Representatives elections, Deuba’s secretariat formally informed the party of his decision not to run.
Nepali Congress finalizes candidates amid internal tensions
Amid continued tension between factions following the party’s Special General Convention, the Nepali Congress has been steadily finalizing its candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives election. Party President Gagan Thapa has intensified consultations with rival groups and pushed the ticket distribution process to its final stage. According to Thapa’s secretariat, candidate selection has been completed in almost all constituencies, with only a few seats left undecided. The process gained further momentum after former Prime Minister and outgoing party president Sher Bahadur Deuba announced that he would not contest the election. Following his decision, the party has also moved ahead with selecting a new candidate in his long-held constituency.
NC leader Chandra Bhandari says youth leadership move a success
Nepali Congress leader Chandra Bhandari has said that the party’s move toward youth leadership has been successful, citing broad acceptance of Gagan Thapa as party president. Bhandari said the willingness of all leaders to contest the upcoming elections under a single election symbol marks a major achievement for the party in the current political context. In a post on social media, Bhandari stated that the party’s unity, sense of responsibility, and confidence in its future have been reaffirmed through the special general convention. “The first step of youth leadership has been successful. Regardless of the words used to address one another, the readiness of all leaders to go to the elections and contest under a single symbol is a major achievement for the Nepali Congress,” Bhandari wrote on Facebook. “This proves the party’s unity, responsibility, and faith in the future. Our efforts have succeeded. Now, we must move forward together, not driven by emotion.”
Yogesh Bhattarai backs UML candidate Kshitij Thebe in Taplejung despite being denied ticket
CPN-UML leader Yogesh Bhattarai has arrived in Taplejung to support Kshitij Thebe, despite being denied the party ticket from the constituency. UML Chair KP Sharma Oli had blocked Bhattarai’s candidacy and instead fielded Thebe, who is considered close to the party leadership. Although dissatisfaction was expected after the ticket denial, Bhattarai has publicly accepted the party’s decision and extended open support to the official candidate. Bhattarai reached Taplejung on the very day of nomination filing. Stating that he is a loyal party worker, he said he would play an active role in ensuring the victory of the party’s candidate. “The party’s interest is greater than personal gain or position,” Bhattarai told reporters.
NEPSE goes up 42 points
As nomination filing for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 gets underway across the country, the stock market on Tuesday signaled investor optimism over a smooth election and prospects of political stability. The benchmark index gained 42.26 points to close at 2,714.81 points, marking a rise of 1.58 percent. All sub-indices ended the session in positive territory. Hotel and tourism stocks posted the highest gains, with the sub-index surging by 3.36 percent. A total of 339 securities were traded through 115,181 transactions. In all, 25,185,647 shares changed hands during the session. Turnover remained strong, with total trading volume exceeding Rs 11.85 billion, reflecting renewed confidence among investors.
Durga Prasai released on bail
Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai has been released on bail. The District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu, ordered Prasai’s release on bail after he was arrested in Pokhara on Monday and brought to Kathmandu. Following the order, Prasai was released, according to SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai of the District Police Range, Kathmandu. Prasai had accused the Election Commission of granting legitimacy to the special general convention of the Nepali Congress in exchange for Rs 520 million.
Gold hits new record, silver price rises in Nepal
The record-breaking rise in gold prices continued on Tuesday, with the rate increasing by Rs 2,700 per tola compared to the previous day. The Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association has fixed the price of gold at Rs 284,700 per tola today. Yesterday, gold was traded at Rs 282,000 per tola. International markets have also seen gold prices reach new highs. Silver prices also rose, gaining Rs 70 per tola. The precious metal, which traded at Rs 5,810 per tola yesterday, has reached Rs 5,880 per tola today.
Election offices set up across Kathmandu ahead of March 5 House polls
Election offices have been established at various locations across Kathmandu to carry out necessary procedures for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. According to the District Election Office, Kathmandu, nomination filing is taking place today at offices set up in all 10 constituencies of the district. The office for Kathmandu Constituency No. 1 has been designated at the Cooperative Training Center in New Baneshwor, while the office for Constituency No. 2 has been set up at the municipal building of Kageshwori Manohara Municipality. For Kathmandu-3, the election office is located at Ward No. 4 of Gokarneshwor Municipality. The office for Constituency No. 4 has been established at the Senior Citizens’ Society Building in Chapali, Budhanilkantha Municipality.
12.3 million ballot papers printed for HoR elections
The Janak Education Materials Center, tasked with printing ballot papers for the upcoming House of Representatives elections on March 5, has so far printed 12.3 million ballots for the proportional representation system. According to the Center, 1.313 million ballot papers were printed in the last 24 hours alone. A total of 28.3 million proportional representation ballot papers, as required by the Election Commission, still need to be printed, meaning the center has completed about 50 percent of the total. So far, the center has delivered 1.098 million ballot papers to the Election Commission. In the past 24 hours, it has also packed 1,431 boxes of ballots, bringing the total packed boxes to 7,841, while 12,989 boxes remain to be packed.
NC Damak Chair Prakash Prasai resigns, pledges support to Balen Shah
Nepali Congress Damak Municipality Chair Prakash Prasai has announced his resignation from both the party post and active membership. Prasai formally declared on Tuesday that he is stepping down from his role as Damak Municipality Chair and relinquishing his active membership in the Nepali Congress. In a statement, Prasai said that his political journey will now focus on bringing change rather than holding positions, seats, or party symbols. He extended advance greetings and full support to candidates contesting from his former constituency, Jhapa–5, particularly Balen Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and the incumbent Mayor of Kathmandu, affirming his commitment to actively participate in their election campaigns.
Rishi Dhamala enters politics, gets Aam Janata Party ticket from Rautahat-4
Journalist Rishi Dhamala has formally entered politics after receiving a ticket to contest the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. Dhamala has been nominated by the Aam Janata Party to contest from Rautahat Constituency No. 4. His election symbol will be the mobile phone. He is currently on his way to Rautahat to register his candidacy. The decision was made public through a social media post by his wife, Aliza Gautam. In her post, Gautam expressed confidence that Dhamala’s experience in journalism, sharp intellect, and firm stance in favor of truth will enable him to play a positive role in politics as well. She also stated that he has entered politics with the intent to serve the people.
Kanchanpur administration directs surrender of weapons
The District Administration Office, Kanchanpur, has instructed all individuals to surrender licensed weapons registered in their names to maintain peace and security. Assistant Chief District Officer Mohan Chandra Joshi stated that all licensed firearms must be surrendered by February 3 to ensure that the upcoming House of Representatives elections on March 5 are conducted in a safe and peaceful environment. The administration has directed that both the weapons and their ammunition be handed over to the District Police Office or the nearest police post. Election offices have been set up in all three constituencies of the district, and preparations, including deployment of staff, security personnel, and necessary materials, are ongoing, the Election Office added.
42 species of birds recorded in Narayani River area
This year’s waterfowl census has shown a positive trend in the Narayani River area, with 42 bird species recorded, one more than last year, and a noticeable increase in overall bird numbers. DB Chaudhary, Bird Census Coordinator of Chitwan National Park’s West Sector, said the total number of birds has also risen. According to Chaudhary, experts counted 12,887 birds of 42 species this year in the Narayani River and surrounding wetlands, compared to 10,257 birds of 41 species in 2024. “This year, we have recorded one additional species and an overall increase in bird numbers,” he said.
Pokhara struggles with mounting waste as temporary landfill fills up
Pokhara is facing a growing waste management crisis as garbage piles up on streets and public spaces, affecting residents, businesses, and tourists. In areas like Buddhipark, New Bazaar, and Srijan Chowk, litter has accumulated despite clear signage discouraging dumping. Pedestrians are forced to cover their noses, and the stench from garbage heaps has spread to nearby hospitals and commercial areas. The temporary landfill in Lameahal, Pokhara-32, is full, while permanent residents refuse to transport additional waste. Attempts to establish a permanent processing plant in Pokhara-33 have sparked protests from local communities concerned about environmental impacts and lack of consultation. These obstacles have left Mayor Dhanraj Acharya with limited options as garbage continues to clog public spaces.
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