Khagaraj Bhatta’s political setback: Denied chief ministerial role and party leadership

Dhangadhi: Following the Maoists' entry into the peace process, Nepal held its first Constituent Assembly elections in 2064 BS. While the CPN-Maoist secured a landslide victory, Khagaraj Bhatta faced defeat in Dadeldhura against Sher Bahadur Deuba by 1,368 votes.

Despite his initial defeat, Bhatta remained determined, analyzing his shortcomings and preparing for future elections. However, his attempts to unseat Deuba in the 2070 BS and 2074 BS elections also ended in failure. In 2070 BS, Deuba secured 23,920 votes, nearly doubling Bhatta’s 12,493 votes. In 2074 BS, with support from the CPN-UML, Bhatta once again contested but lost by 6,929 votes.

Although Deuba continuously blocked his path to the House of Representatives, Bhatta finally won a seat in the Provincial Assembly in the last election, with Deuba’s support. During the campaign, Deuba endorsed him as the future Chief Minister of Far West Province. In return, Bhatta campaigned for Deuba in the federal elections, leading to an understanding between Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist Center President Pushpa Kamal Dahal to appoint Bhatta as Chief Minister for five years. However, political maneuvering within the coalition prevented this agreement from materializing, and Bhatta never assumed the Chief Ministerial role. His aspirations for a ministerial position also collapsed without a formal departmental assignment.

Adding to his political misfortunes, Bhatta was recently removed as the leader of the Maoist Center’s parliamentary party in the Far West. The majority of the Maoist Center's provincial assembly members voted to replace him with former minister Man Bahadur Dhami. Despite instructions from Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) to reinstate Bhatta, the decision has not been reversed.

Speaking at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Bhageshwor Secondary School in Katal, Parshuram Municipality-4, Bhatta expressed his frustration, stating that had he known he would be denied the Chief Minister’s post, he would not have contested the Provincial Assembly election. He recalled how Deuba and Dahal assured him of the position, saying, “Khagaraj ji, contest the election in the province. Leave Sher Bahadur in the federal parliament. If you want to win, you must be the Chief Minister.” Bhatta lamented that the alliance crumbled within two months of the election, leaving him in opposition with no clear political direction.

Bhatta also criticized the government’s inability to deliver development projects, questioning why key infrastructure projects like the Daiji-Jogbudha road remained unfulfilled. He accused the then Physical Infrastructure Minister Prakash Deuba of ignoring his requests for an alternative road after a landslide in Budhitola.

Despite his political setbacks, Bhatta remains active in provincial affairs. He highlighted his work with Dr. Tara Prasad Joshi on the Development Committee, prioritizing the Daiji-Jogbudha road project. He urged the public to evaluate his contributions, stating, “If we failed to work, hold us accountable. I am ready to accept any verdict with humility.”