KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Complaints filed against candidates including Madhav Nepal and Resham Chaudhary, seeking cancellation of nominations
Complaints have begun to be filed with district election offices and the Election Commission following the registration of candidacies on Monday for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. According to the Election Commission, claims and objections have been lodged against several candidates, including top leaders of major political parties, seeking the cancellation of their nominations.
Special Court seeks Rs 500,000 bail in Rs 140 million corruption case involving former Health Secretary Dr Sangita Mishra
The Special Court has ordered former Health Secretary Dr Sangita Kaushal Mishra to post bail of Rs 500,000 in connection with a corruption case involving Rs 140 million. The order was issued on Wednesday following a hearing in the case. A bench comprising judges Narayan Paudel, Dilli Ratna Shrestha and Bidur Koirala directed Mishra to furnish the bail amount.
Why dalits are once again pushed to the margins in elections
Dalits make up nearly 13 percent of Nepal’s total population. However, data show that both old and new political parties have once again treated demographic representation as a secondary concern while selecting candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. As in previous elections, political parties have shown reluctance to ensure inclusive representation in direct elections, particularly of women, people from backward regions, and Dalits. This trend is not limited to any single party but is evident across the political spectrum, including those that entered the electoral race with slogans of change, social justice, and equal opportunity.
Gyanendra Shah resumes use of ‘king’ title in public message ahead of Janakpur visit
Former king Gyanendra Shah has once again begun issuing public messages using the royal title, reversing his earlier use of the designation ‘former king’. A notice released on Wednesday by Shah’s Secretariat of Communication ahead of his scheduled visit to Janakpur refers to him in full royal honorifics, effectively presenting him as ‘king’. The statement announces that Gyanendra Shah and Queen Komal will visit Janaki Temple in Janakpur on January 26.
Balen Shah strategizes with all Sunsari RSP candidates in Damak
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Balen Shah convened a strategy meeting in Damak with all four party candidates from Sunsari district ahead of the upcoming elections. Party leader Ashok Chaudhary said the meeting included Shalin Tamang (Sunsari-1), Lalbikram Thapa (Sunsari-2), Ashok Kumar Chaudhary (Sunsari-3), and the RSP candidate from Sunsari-4.
Former prime ministers test political relevance amid shifting electoral ground
Four former prime ministers have entered the House of Representatives race scheduled for March 5, placing their political legacies under direct electoral scrutiny at a time when Nepal’s traditional power structures are visibly under strain. The former prime ministers contesting the election are CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, NCP Co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai. Their candidacies reflect contrasting strategies—ranging from reliance on entrenched party machinery to calculated retreats into ideological strongholds—as voter behavior shows signs of realignment.
Oli confident of 70% votes in upcoming election, criticizes political criminalization
CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed confidence that the party will secure around 70 percent of the votes in the upcoming House of Representatives election. Speaking to party workers in Kamal Rural Municipality on Wednesday, Oli said the Nepali Congress remains disorganized, and many former Maoist voters are leaning toward UML, giving the party a strong edge.
Prachanda visits former Maoist conflict sites, begins door-to-door campaign in Rukum East
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, who filed his nomination from Rukum East on Tuesday, visited areas associated with the Maoist armed conflict in the district on Wednesday Prachanda inspected the site where the Rukumkot police post was seized during the People’s War. A war museum has since been built at the location. On the occasion, he pledged to further organize and develop the site.
KP Sharma Oli busy campaigning in Damak ahead of Jhapa-5 race
CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been actively campaigning in Damak, seeking support from voters ahead of the House of Representatives election from Jhapa-5. On Wednesday, Oli met people of all age groups, from youth to the elderly, as part of his campaign. Through house-to-house visits, interactions, and discussions, he listened to local issues and expressed commitment to addressing them.
Damak UML youth chair quits party and joins Balen Shah campaign
Youth support has begun to grow in Jhapa for Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) senior leader Balen Shah, who is contesting the House of Representatives election from Jhapa-5. On Wednesday morning, Chhabi Khatiwada, chair of the CPN-UML-affiliated National Youth Federation, Damak municipal committee, publicly extended his support to Balen, distancing himself from the UML.
High Court issues interim order halting immediate suspension of Dr. Yashoda Rijal
The Patan High Court has issued an interim order preventing the immediate implementation of a two-month suspension imposed on Dr. Yashoda Rijal by the Nepal Medical Council (NMC). A division bench of Justices Rishi Raj Bhandari and Deepak Khanal granted the order following a preliminary hearing of Rijal’s petition. The petition highlighted that the NMC had decided to suspend Dr. Rijal for allegedly violating the professional code of conduct, even though the period for filing an appeal against a prior district court verdict had not yet expired.
Former prime ministers test political relevance amid shifting electoral ground
Four former prime ministers have entered the House of Representatives race scheduled for March 5, placing their political legacies under direct electoral scrutiny at a time when Nepal’s traditional power structures are visibly under strain. The former prime ministers contesting the election are CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, NCP Co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai. Their candidacies reflect contrasting strategies—ranging from reliance on entrenched party machinery to calculated retreats into ideological strongholds—as voter behavior shows signs of realignment.
KMC police chief Joshi directs strict action against public smoking
Chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Metropolitan Police Force, Bishnu Prasad Joshi, has directed metropolitan police personnel to strictly enforce action against individuals smoking in public places. Addressing all ranks of metropolitan police personnel at the Metropolitan Police Force office on Wednesday, Chief Joshi said the campaign to curb public smoking appeared to have weakened and instructed officers to bring violators firmly within the ambit of enforcement.
Balen Shah extends support to RSP Jhapa-2 candidate Indira Rana Magar
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) senior leader and proposed prime ministerial candidate Balen Shah has extended his support to Indira Rana Magar, the party’s House of Representatives candidate from Jhapa-2. Balen visited Rana Magar’s residence early Wednesday morning, where the two leaders met and expressed solidarity in the ongoing election campaign. According to party sources, discussions during the meeting focused on change-oriented politics, good governance and accountable leadership. Balen said Rana Magar’s candidacy would send a positive message to voters in Jhapa-2 and pledged his full support for her victory.
RSP fields only 16 women candidates, far below constitutional threshold
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has nominated just 16 women candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives election, raising concerns over its commitment to constitutional provisions on women’s representation. Nomination details show that RSP has fielded 148 male candidates and only 16 female candidates, meaning women account for just 9.75 percent of the party’s direct-election contenders. This is significantly below the 33 percent women’s representation guaranteed by the Constitution.
Six former finance ministers enter race for House election
As nomination filing concludes for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, at least six former finance ministers have entered the electoral race, seeking direct mandates from voters across the country. The candidates include former prime ministers Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Bishnu Prasad Paudel, as well as Barshaman Pun, Janardan Sharma, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, and Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat. Former state minister for finance Udaya Shumsher Rana is also contesting the election.
Gold price jumps by Rs 10,400 per tola
Gold prices in the local market surged sharply on Wednesday, rising by Rs 10,400 per tola compared to Tuesday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold has been fixed at Rs 295,100 per tola, while silver is being traded at Rs 5,920 per tola. On Tuesday, hallmark gold was priced at Rs 284,700 per tola, while silver stood at Rs 5,880 per tola.
Jhapa-5 candidate Balen Shah begins door-to-door campaign
Balen Shah, who has filed his candidacy from Jhapa-5, has begun interacting with voters as part of his election campaign. Balen started his door-to-door campaign early Wednesday morning, a day after registering his nomination.
Why Gagan Thapa shifted from Kathmandu to Sarlahi-4 for House election
Newly elected President of the Nepali Congress, Gagan Kumar Thapa, will contest the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 from Sarlahi-4. Thapa’s candidacy from Sarlahi comes after weeks of internal debate within the party. Although his name had been recommended from both Kathmandu-4 and Sarlahi-4 on a single recommendation basis, the party had initially moved forward with Kathmandu-4, a constituency Thapa has represented for years.
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