KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
President Paudel extends Sonam Lhosar greetings
President Ram Chandra Paudel has wished that all Nepalis continue to strengthen unity to build an economically and socially prosperous Nepal. In a message issued today on the occasion of the Tamang community’s Sonam Lhosar festival, the President extended his best wishes to all brothers and sisters at home and abroad for happiness, peace, and prosperity.
Minister Jagdish Kharel resigns after RSP nominates him for Lalitpur-2
Communications Minister Jagdish Kharel has submitted his resignation from the cabinet after being nominated by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to contest the House of Representatives election from Lalitpur-2. Kharel, a former active member of the Nepali Congress, handed his resignation to Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Monday. Addressing the Prime Minister, he said he decided to step down to participate actively in party politics. In his resignation letter, Kharel said his departure is aimed at preserving the independent identity of the current non-political civil government. He stated that engaging in party politics is now the appropriate way to serve public expectations and contribute to the long-term strengthening of democracy.
Rabi Lamichhane, Balen Shah take stage at Janakpur rally amid massive crowd
Rastriya Swatantra Party chairman Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah took the stage at a rally in Janakpur, sitting on the podium alongside other party leaders. The event, held in Janakpurdham, drew a large crowd of supporters and well-wishers, reflecting strong local enthusiasm for the party. Police were deployed in significant numbers after supporters began climbing onto the stage, ensuring safety and crowd control.
Bamdev Gautam returns NCP ticket, announces he will not contest from Bardiya-1
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader Bamdev Gautam has announced that he will not contest the upcoming elections from Bardiya-1, returning the party ticket handed to him by NCP coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Gautam cited concerns over ethnic balance in the region, which has a significant Tharu population. He criticized the party for nominating leaders of hill-origin communities in both Bardiya constituencies, saying such decisions ignore the local demographic realities. “In Bardiya, success in any initiative requires harmony between Tharu and non-Tharu communities. The party’s decision to field hill-origin candidates in both constituencies, while disregarding the post-Gen-Z movement situation, is not appropriate,” Gautam said. “Therefore, I have decided not to contest from Bardiya-1 and have returned the candidate letter you provided.”
Youth Minister Bablu Gupta resigns to contest elections
Youth and Sports Minister Bablu Gupta has resigned from his post after confirming his candidacy for the March 5 elections. He submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister ahead of the polls. The 28-year-old Gupta was appointed minister on October 26, 2025, and became the youngest minister in the interim government led by Sushila Karki. A social activist by background, Gupta led several movements and joined the government following the Gen-Z movement.
Thapa starts distributing NC tickets for HoR polls
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa, elected through the party’s second special general convention, has begun rapidly distributing tickets for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. After receiving official recognition as party President from the Election Commission, Thapa moved swiftly to finalize candidates ahead of Tuesday’s nomination deadline. He has started by allocating tickets in Himalayan and high hill districts. Previously, tickets for proportional representation and the National Assembly were signed by former President Sher Bahadur Deuba. However, for direct House of Representatives candidates, Thapa himself has been signing and issuing the tickets.
Durga Prasai arrested over spreading misleading election information
Durga Prasai was arrested on Monday in Pokhara. The Election Commission had earlier directed the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau to take action against Prasai for allegedly spreading false and misleading information. The move followed a controversial video he released during a press conference on Saturday, claiming a Rs 520 million transaction when the Nepali Congress, led by Gagan Kumar Thapa, was granted official recognition by the commission. The video and Prasai’s statements were widely shared on social media, prompting the Election Commission to initiate legal action to prevent further dissemination of false information.
Ishwar Pokharel to contest from Kathmandu-5, ticket granted by Oli
CPN-UML leader Ishwar Pokharel has been awarded a ticket to contest the House of Representatives election by party chair KP Sharma Oli. Despite sidelining most leaders who challenged him during the party’s 11th general convention, Oli granted Pokharel a ticket at the final moment. UML Kathmandu district chair Deepak Niraula confirmed that Pokharel will contest from Kathmandu constituency number 5. According to Niraula, Pokharel’s supporters will gather at Dahalgaunda at 1 pm on Tuesday before proceeding to the Office of the Chief Returning Officer at 2 pm to file the nomination.
Sumana Shrestha set to join Nepali Congress
Former Education Minister Sumana Shrestha, who left the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) after the Gen-Z movement, is reportedly set to join the Nepali Congress. News reports indicate that Shrestha has been in talks with Congress chairman Gagan Thapa regarding her party entry. Party leaders are currently in discussions over candidate selection and the constituency from which she might contest. Shrestha had left RSP Bhadra the Gen-Z movement of September 8 and 9, expressing strong dissatisfaction with party chairman Rabi Lamichhane’s leadership style. She had also raised serious objections over Lamichhane’s forceful release from Nakkhu prison.
Bhim Rawal fumes over Prem Ale’s NCP ticket, says decision made without consultation
Sudurpashchim-based NCP leader Dr. Bhim Rawal has expressed strong displeasure after former Tourism Minister Prem Ale was handed the party ticket for Kailali-5 without his prior consultation. According to a party source, Rawal called NCP coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday, stating, “This decision is completely inappropriate. Why was Ale given a ticket without consulting me?” Rawal, who has been working to consolidate NCP’s influence in the far-western region, said key decisions regarding candidate selection should involve him to ensure favorable outcomes for the party. He has closely monitored ticket distribution in Sudurpashchim and insisted that any unilateral decisions risk internal discord.
NC leader Min Bishwakarma announces he will not contest upcoming elections
Nepali Congress leader Min Bishwakarma, aligned with the Sher Bahadur Deuba faction, has announced that he will not contest the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5. Bishwakarma made the announcement on social media on Monday, stating that he believes the new generation should lead politics and represent the people in Nepal’s evolving political landscape. “I have personally decided not to be a candidate in this election, as I believe this time the younger generation should take the lead in politics and public representation,” he said.
Former Madhesh MP Rahbar Ansari joins RSP, promises new political approach
Former Madhesh Province MP Rahbar Ansari, who had left the CPN (Maoist), has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Ansari addressed the party’s rally in Janakpur, saying that the future of politics lies with the new generation’s practices. He claimed that the RSP would blow the trumpet of revolution in Madhesh this time, promising a distinct political outcome for the region. Ansari had previously criticized traditional parties in the Madhesh Provincial Assembly, accusing them of failing to deliver and expressing dissatisfaction with the merger of the Maoist Centre with Madhav Kumar Nepal’s faction.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party commits fully to elections despite disagreements over system: Lingden
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chair Rajendra Lingden has stated that the party is fully participating in the upcoming elections, even though it disagrees with the current electoral system. Speaking at a program held at the party office in Dhumbarahi on Monday, Lingden said the party remains firm that the elections, conducted without addressing issues in the state structure, electoral system, and appointment mechanisms, will not provide a real solution. However, since the country has already moved strongly towards elections, the party has decided to participate fully.
Former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka opts out of electoral race
Former Energy Minister and Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka has announced that he will not contest the upcoming election. In a post on social media, former minister Khadka stated that he will not stake any claim to candidacy in this election. He also said that he has decided not to participate in the election as a candidate. In his social media post, he wrote:
“…I would like to clearly inform everyone that in this election, there will be no claim of candidacy from my side; that is, I have decided not to participate in the election as a candidate.”
Government scraps controversial Prime Minister Employment Programme
The government has scrapped the Prime Minister Employment Programme, which had long been criticised as unproductive and controversial, and decided to move forward with a new initiative by approving the National Employment Promotion Programme Directive, 2082. According to the government, the new programme aims to create domestic employment opportunities and better organise the labour market. The National Employment Promotion Programme (Operation and Management) Directive, 2082 has been approved to replace the earlier scheme.
Sagar to contest from Gulmi-1, skips Dadeldhura; faces UML’s Pradeep Gyawali and NC’s Chandra Bhandari
Sagar Dhakal, who had contested against Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba in the 2079 elections, will this time run for the House of Representatives from Gulmi-1. He received the nomination from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) for Gulmi-1, setting up a contest with Pradeep Gyawali of the CPN-UML and Dr. Chandra Bhandari of the Nepali Congress.
RSP fields social activist Ashika Tamang from Dhading-1
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has fielded social activist Ashika Tamang as its candidate from Dhading-1 for the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Tamang, who was earlier preparing to contest the election as an independent candidate, has now been nominated by RSP. Party leader Ganesh Parajuli handed over the candidacy ticket to her on Monday. In the 2022 elections, comedian Himesh Pant had contested from Dhading-1 but failed to secure a significant number of votes. This time, RSP has replaced Pant with Tamang.
NC leader Purna Bahadur Khadka decides not to contest March 5 elections
Acting President of the Nepali Congress faction that has lost official recognition, Purna Bahadur Khadka, has decided not to contest the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5. According to a leader close to him, Khadka has said he is ready to move forward in a united manner in the parliamentary elections, regardless of which side the Supreme Court verdict favors.
Oli questions election security, stays silent on Balen Shah
CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has raised concerns over the country’s law and order situation ahead of the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5. Speaking to journalists at Chandragadhi Airport in Jhapa on Tuesday, Oli said the overall security situation remained unsatisfactory. He questioned the government’s preparedness to ensure election security, stating that the existing arrangements were not reassuring. Oli, however, refrained from commenting on other political issues.
RSP finalizes 33 candidates for House of Representatives elections
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has finalized its candidates in 33 constituencies for the upcoming House of Representatives elections. The remaining constituencies’ candidates will be announced today, party spokesperson Manish Jha said. RSP has fielded senior leader Balen Shah from Jhapa-5 and Vice-Chair DP Aryal (Dolprasad) from Kathmandu-9. Other candidates include Shishir Khanal from Kathmandu-6, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha from Kathmandu-8, Indira Rana Magar from Jhapa-2, and Sobita Gautam from Chitwan-3.
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