Four-way contest emerges in Kanchanpur-3 as major parties field new faces

Dhangadhi: Kanchanpur-3, the home constituency of Ramesh Lekhak, has entered the election race this time with a new political equation. Lekhak, who has been active in parliamentary politics since 2056 BS, had contested from this constituency in every election except 2064 BS. However, the Nepali Congress has not given him a ticket this time and has instead fielded former district president Hari Prasad Bohora as its candidate.

Although there was dissatisfaction among Lekhak’s supporters following the ticket distribution, it is estimated that the dispute within the party has somewhat subsided after Lekhak himself became active in Bohora’s election campaign. Lekhak has made it clear that he remains active in the Congress and is seeking votes in favor of Bohora.

Congress candidate Bohora has made public his agenda, which includes completing the under-construction dry port, promoting religious tourism, operating boats on the Mahakali River, advancing the construction of a cable car in the Brahmadev area, and completing the Mahakali Corridor connecting it with China.

Meanwhile, the CPN-UML has fielded Dr. Deepak Prakash Bhatta as its candidate. Bhatta, who defeated Lekhak with the support of the Left alliance in 2074 BS, is known as an intellectual and decent leader. He has put forward the agenda of constructing an embankment on the Jogbudha River, building a concrete embankment and ring road along the Mahakali River, implementing a flood control plan on the Rautela River, and operating the Majhagaun Airport. However, addressing dissatisfaction among young voters toward the UML appears to be a challenge for Bhatta.

Man Bahadur Sunar is contesting from the Nepal Communist Party. Sunar, a former Minister of State for Agriculture in the Sudurpaschim Province government, was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly in 2074 BS. He has proposed plans to control floods in the Bhimdatta and Bedkot areas, operate a dry port and an integrated check post, and develop the Majhagaun Airport as a model airport. However, the party appears to be organizationally weak.

The National Independent Party has fielded Gyanendra Mahata, who has a journalism background, as its candidate. The party views growing dissatisfaction with the old parties, the absence of Lekhak from the Congress ticket, and dissatisfaction within the UML as opportunities in its favor.

In the 2079 BS election, Ramesh Lekhak won with 30,575 votes, while UML’s Nirudevi Pal secured 18,485 votes. In the proportional representation vote, the Congress received 20,571 votes, the UML 11,816 votes, the RPP 6,266 votes, the RSP 4,900 votes, and the Maoist Center 4,462 votes.

This constituency includes Dodhara-Chandani Municipality, Bhimdatta Municipality, and Bedkot Municipality-8. Along with candidates from major parties, contenders from the RPP, NEMKIPA, Rastriya Janamorcha, CPN (United), Shram Sanskriti Party, Miteri Party Nepal, CPN (Maoist), Ujjwal Nepal Party, Rastriya Mukti Party Nepal, and Aam Janata Party are also in the race. Additionally, Thaneshwor Lekhak, Bir Singh Chhetri, and Harka Bahadur Air have filed their candidacies as independents.