KATHMANADU: 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.
Dr. Bhattarai, who served as finance minister in 2008/09, has filed his candidacy from Gorkha-2 under the Progressive Democratic Party. Bhattarai’s entry adds weight to the contest, given his long political career spanning underground activism to mainstream leadership.
Bishnu Prasad Paudel, a five-time finance minister, is contesting from Rupandehi-2 representing CPN-UML. Paudel has presented three annual budgets and is the architect of the ongoing fiscal year’s budget.
Former finance minister Barshaman Pun has filed his nomination from Rolpa-1 under the Nepal Communist Party banner. Pun has presented the budget for fiscal year 2024/25 and had earlier introduced an ordinance-based budget.
Janardan Sharma, contesting from Rukum West, previously served as finance minister and presented the budget for fiscal year 2022/23. Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, running from Sunsari-4 under the Nepali Congress ticket, also served as finance minister but did not get the opportunity to present a full annual budget.
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has filed his candidacy from Nuwakot-1. Mahat presented the budget for fiscal year 2023/24 and has held several key ministerial portfolios.
Despite their experience and prominence, most former finance ministers were unable to present consecutive annual budgets due to frequent changes in governments and shifting political coalitions. Budget formulation and implementation were often handled by different ministers, affecting continuity in fiscal policy.
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