POKHARA: A total of 17 candidates are in the fray for the House of Representatives (HoR) election in Kaski Constituency-2, drawing significant public attention as a likely three-way contest emerges.
In the previous election, CPN-UML leader Bidya Bhattarai secured victory in the constituency. Earlier, the late Rabindra Adhikari of the same party had won the 2064 BS and 2070 BS Constituent Assembly elections, as well as the 2074 BS parliamentary election.
In the last election, Madhav Kandel of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) finished second, while Srinath Baral, representing the alliance of Nepali Congress, the then Maoist Centre, and Unified Socialist, came third. Observers anticipate a tight three-way race this time as well.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party has expressed confidence that it can sideline CPN-UML in this election. Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leaders argue that during the previous election, the alliance arrangement prevented them from fully utilizing their own election symbol. This time, however, they say campaigning under their own symbol has strengthened their position to challenge rivals more effectively.
Local voters appear divided, with many predicting the main competition will be among CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
Among the 17 candidates contesting are Rashmi Acharya (CPN-UML), Madhav Bastola (Nepali Congress), Hem Bahadur Thapa (Nepali Communist Party), Uttam Prasad Paudel (Rastriya Swatantra Party), Kushal Gurung (Ujyalo Nepal Party), and Hemjung Gurung (Rastriya Prajatantra Party), among others.
Candidates campaigning in rural areas have emphasized priorities such as corruption-free governance, job creation, quality education, and national prosperity, themes they say resonate strongly with younger voters.
Meanwhile, residents in villages and settlements, including Chhabadi, Kurling, and Singarebas of Bharatpokhari have urged candidates to focus on developing basic infrastructure and improving local services.
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