Bhaktapur–2 in spotlight as door-to-door campaign begins

KATHMANDU: Political parties contesting the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21 have begun door-to-door campaigning from today.

Major political parties that have fielded candidates in Bhaktapur Constituency No. 1 and Constituency No. 2 launched their house-to-house outreach programs starting this morning.

Parties including CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and Rastriya Swatantra Party have already begun their campaigns in both constituencies. Other political parties and independent candidates have also intensified their election activities.

Election enthusiasm has increased in Bhaktapur Constituency No. 2, where the campaign atmosphere has heated up among major competing parties. As the election approaches, candidates are reaching out directly to voters, visiting homes and neighborhoods with development agendas.

Bhaktapur Constituency No. 2 has become one of the most closely watched constituencies in this year’s election.

The candidacy of CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet has drawn particular public attention. Basnet is contesting for the House of Representatives from this constituency for the fourth consecutive time.

Previously, Basnet was defeated by Rameshwar Dhungel in the 2070 BS election. In 2074 BS, he defeated Nepali Congress candidate Daman Nath Dhungana. However, in the 2079 BS election, Nepali Congress candidate Durlabh Thapa won with 24,238 votes, while Basnet was defeated with 23,279 votes.

In this election, Basnet is facing competition from journalist Kabir Rana representing Nepali Congress, journalist Rajiv Khatri from Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Ram Prasad Sapkota (Dipshikha) representing the Communist Party of Nepal.

The electoral history of Bhaktapur Constituency No. 2 shows varied political representation. In 2048 BS, Nepali Congress candidate Jagannath Acharya was elected. In 2051 BS, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party candidate Ashakaji Basukala won. In 2056 BS, Nepali Congress candidate Lekhnath Neupane was elected. In 2064 BS, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party candidate Sunil Prajapati won. In 2070 BS, Nepali Congress candidate Rameshwar Dhungel was elected. In 2074 BS, CPN-UML candidate Mahesh Basnet won, and in 2079 BS, Nepali Congress candidate Durlabh Thapa was elected.

CPN-UML candidate Basnet is campaigning with the agenda of building a “prosperous and happy Bhaktapur.” Nepali Congress candidate Rana has stated that he is going to the people with a development-focused agenda for Bhaktapur and its surrounding areas. He claims that the party’s strong base in the constituency, where Nepali Congress has previously won three times, strengthens his chances of victory.

Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate Rajiv Khatri, who is actively campaigning in neighborhoods, said that voters are demanding an opportunity for new leadership this time. He pledged to raise issues affecting Bhaktapur and the nation in Parliament and to work for the development of Bhaktapur.

Communist Party of Nepal candidate Ram Prasad Sapkota (Dipshikha) said he would prioritize Bhaktapur’s development and claimed that unity among various parties and growing public trust would help him win Constituency No. 2 for the first time.

Other candidates contesting in Bhaktapur Constituency No. 2 include Ramesh Baidya from Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Bikram Thapa from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Jitram Lama from Ujyalo Nepal Party, Arjun Basu from Shram Sanskriti Party, Rakesh Shrestha from Trimul Nepal, Januka Pathak from Nepal Janasewa Party, journalist Janmadev Jaisi from Progressive Democratic Party, Lok Krishna Dahal from Nepal Communist Party (United), Nabin Shrestha from Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, Prakashraj Dhungel from CPN (Maoist), Pemba Ghale from Mongol National Organization, and Rajesh Bade from Nepal for Nepalis Party.

Independent candidates from this constituency include Sabin Mahat, Pradip Kumar Rupakheti, Anand Karki, Madhu Prakash Sahukhal, Shyam Krishna Dhukhwa, Laxmi Bastola Paudel, Bal Krishna Thapa, Om Krishna Kutu, Nabin Kumar Mahat, Sajan Dhakal, Suvarna Thapa, Renu Shrestha, Archana Bhattarai, and Anita Bhattarai.