KATHMANDU: With the House of Representatives election set for March 5, Kathmandu is witnessing an active election campaign. Many constituencies feature new candidates, but Kathmandu 8 remains a battleground for familiar faces from the 2022 elections.
In the previous election, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won with 10,112 votes, defeating independent candidate Suman Sayami, who secured 6,179 votes. Other contenders included Jeevanram Shrestha (Unified Socialist) with 4,881 votes, Prakash Rimal (Rastriya Prajatantra Party) with 4,388 votes, and Shivasundar Rajbhandari (Nepali Congress) with 3,891 votes. The remaining 14 candidates, including independents, failed to reach even 1,000 votes.
For this election, most former competitors are absent, except Shrestha and Sayami. However, Sayami is now running under the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) banner rather than as an independent. Nepali Congress has fielded Sapana Rajbhandari, UML has nominated Rajesh Shakya, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has chosen Naveen Shahi, all new entrants who were not part of the 2022 race.
Organizational strength, personality, and environment could decide outcome
Kathmandu voters are known to vote based on individual merit rather than party loyalty, often changing their choice each election. Analysts suggest three key factors could influence the result in Kathmandu 8. Fristly, the last time, Sayami ran as an independent, but now, with NCP backing, he may attract additional votes. Similarly, some votes previously going to Congress’s Jeevanram Shrestha may shift toward Sayami. While Shrestha will rely on Raswpa’s organizational strength, the party has also expanded its nationwide network. Effectively mobilizing party structures could tip the balance between Shrestha and Sayami.
Both Shrestha and Sayami are respected figures within the local Newar community, with strong social and cultural presence. Shrestha previously served as a provincial assembly member in 2074 and later as Youth and Sports Minister. Sayami, a former mayoral candidate for Kathmandu Metropolitan City in 2022, has been active in public campaigns on issues like river conservation and public land protection. Their similar standing means voter perception of trust and credibility will be crucial.
The broader election climate also plays a significant role. Narratives of “old vs. new” are being emphasized in Kathmandu 8, and how this resonates with voters could influence vote shares. Local developments, campaign effectiveness, and public sentiment on governance and civic issues will further shape the outcome.
With these factors in play, analysts expect Kathmandu 8 to witness a close contest, despite the influx of new candidates. The ultimate result may hinge on which of the two veteran contenders, Shrestha or Sayami, can better combine organizational reach, personal credibility, and campaign momentum.
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