Kanchanpur gears up for intense electoral battle: congress seeks to preserve legacy, UML aims to repeat victory

Kanchanpur: Election activity has intensified in Kanchanpur, which has three constituencies, ahead of the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21. The district, known for its politically prominent leaders, is witnessing keen competition among major parties.

In Constituency No. 1, former minister Bina Magar is contesting as the Nepali Communist Party candidate. Magar, who has national recognition, was defeated by CPN-UML candidate Tara Lama Tamang in the 2079 BS election. The UML has again fielded Tamang in a bid to retain the seat. Nepali Congress candidate Gopi Prasad Upadhyay and National Independent Party candidate Janak Singh Dhami are also contesting here for the first time. With 19 candidates, including independents, the primary contest is expected to be among the three major parties.

Constituency No. 2 is shaping up as another competitive battleground. Former minister Narayan Prakash Saund of the Nepali Congress, who won this constituency in the 2079 BS election by defeating CPN-UML’s Nar Bahadur Dhami, is seeking re-election. The UML has nominated youth leader Bachan Bahadur Singh, while the Nepali Communist Party has fielded first-time candidate Madhav Pant. National Independent Party leader Deepak Bohara is also active in this constituency.

In Constituency No. 3, which encompasses Mahendranagar, the district headquarters, the race is drawing significant attention. Nepali Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, long considered a strong candidate here, was denied a ticket amid internal party disputes. Former district president Hari Prasad Bohara has been fielded in his place and faces the challenge of retaining Congress’s legacy. The CPN-UML has nominated former MP Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatta, who defeated Lekhak in the 2074 BS election, while Nepali Communist Party candidate Man Bahadur Sunar, a sitting Provincial Assembly member, also holds strong influence in Dodhara Chandani across the Mahakali River. The National Independent Party has fielded Gyanendra Mahata.

According to Nepali Congress Kanchanpur Party Secretary Bhimraj Bhatta, the party has formed election campaign committees in all three constituencies and is preparing to open liaison offices in all 92 wards. CPN-UML Secretary Pallabhraj Bhatta stated that party meetings are being conducted at various levels and that a district-level manifesto will be prepared once the central manifesto is released.

The upcoming elections in Kanchanpur are expected to be a close contest, with the main competition likely between Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and the Nepali Communist Party candidates across the three constituencies.