Kathmandu-1: New faces carry ‘heavyweight’ legacy

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Constituency No. 1, one of the most high-profile electoral areas in the country since the restoration of democracy, is witnessing a competitive race with all new faces contesting the upcoming House of Representatives election.

Since the political changes of 2046 BS, the constituency has been a focal point of parliamentary politics. Prominent leaders such as then-Prime Minister and acting Nepali Congress President Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, CPN-UML General Secretary Madan Kumar Bhandari, former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Congress leader Prakash Man Singh, and UML leader Pradeep Nepal have all contested here.

In the 2048 BS election, Bhandari of the CPN-UML defeated then-Prime Minister Bhattarai, marking a rare instance in which a sitting Prime Minister lost a post-democracy election—a result that garnered national and international attention.

Following General Secretary Bhandari’s death in a road accident, his wife, Bidya Devi Bhandari, won the 2051 BS by-election, defeating Bhattarai.

Historically, the constituency has been considered a stronghold of the Nepali Congress within the capital valley.

While CPN-UML maintained dominance in the post-democracy elections nationwide, Nepali Congress has consistently consolidated its position in this area after the republic was established.

In the mid-term election of 2051 BS, UML Chairman Manmohan Adhikari won the seat, while Narayan Prasad Dhakal of the Congress emerged victorious in the 2053 BS by-election.

In the 2056 BS parliamentary election, UML leader Pradeep Nepal was elected, followed by consecutive victories of Nepali Congress leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh in four elections between 2064 BS and 2079 BS.

This constituency, which includes key administrative hubs such as Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court, and the Parliament, as well as being the center of the recent Gen Z movement in Bhadra, now has 29 candidates in the electoral fray, including both party-affiliated and independent contenders.

The Kathmandu District Chief Election Officer reported that of these, 16 candidates (including three women) represent political parties, and 13 candidates (including one woman) are independent.

Across all 10 constituencies of Kathmandu this election, political parties have fielded 168 candidates (including 24 women), while independents number 82 (including 22 women).

According to Assistant Election Officer Bharat Ghimire, the constituency has 48,489 registered voters, 22 polling sites, and 57 polling centers.

The constituency covers wards 10, 11, 29, and 31 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. At Ratnarajya Secondary School in Baneshwar, one polling site has five polling centers serving 4,474 voters.

This election sees CPN-UML’s Mohanraj Regmi, Nepali Congress’s Prabal Thapa Chhetri, Nepal Communist Party’s Menuka Bhandari, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) candidate Ranju Darshana (Neupane), and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) candidate Ravindra Mishra among the main contestants.

Other candidates include Prakash Nayaju from Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, Ramila Jyakhwa (Suwal) from Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Sabin Sigdel of Progressive Democratic Party, Samir Lama Tamang from Shram Sanskriti Party, Rajkumar Limbu of Miteri Party Nepal, Dhanraj Shahi from Nepal Communist Party (Maoist), Mangalal Shrestha of Ujyalo Nepal Party, Indra Prasad Shrestha from Rastriya Janamukti Party, and Arjun Bahadur Shahi of Nepal Janasewa Party.

Additionally, candidates from Samaveshi Samajbadi Party, Janadesh Party Nepal, and 13 independent candidates including Kamal Koirala, Raju Bhujel, Shambhu Pokhrel, Surendra Prasad Dhakal, Sagar Joshi, Ashimman Singh Basnet, Kiran Shah, Kumar Shahi, Rajkumar Bajgain, Shanti Shrestha, Kushal Khatri, Sangeet Bamm, and Ramesh Prasad Joshi are contesting.

CPN-UML candidate Mohanraj Regmi has prioritized political stability, strengthening governance, post-movement reconstruction, unplanned settlement management, riverbank protection, and parking arrangements.

RPP senior vice-president Ravindra Mishra, contesting for the third time from the constituency, stated, “This time I have received positive feedback from voters. Those with different political philosophies have given me opportunities for dialogue. There is a need to shift voter mentality away from old patterns.”

NCP candidate Menuka Bhandari emphasized that her campaign focuses on addressing citizens’ grievances in parliament and pressing for their implementation. “Constituency No. 1 houses citizens from all districts, serving as a hub for physical infrastructure and education. Local demands include solid waste management, sewage, and drinking water solutions,” she said.

Raswapa candidate Ranju Darshana highlighted that voters understand parliamentary representatives are responsible for lawmaking and policy formulation. “I will focus on maintaining overall peace and security, promoting businesses, and improving transport and road management,” she added.

Nepal Workers and Peasants Party candidate Ramila Jyakhwa stated that her party’s agenda centers on national sovereignty and farmers’ rights. “Employment should be provided locally based on educational qualifications. We need principled leadership rather than mob-driven politics,” she asserted.

Independent candidate Asimman Singh Basnet, reflecting on previous elections, promised to address complaints about absentee MPs returning to the constituency. “This time all candidates are new faces. Voters will evaluate our personal contributions. Being local, I am committed to saying, ‘I am not separate from this area, nor is the area separate from me,’ which has been well received by voters,” he said.

Chief Election Officer of Constituency No. 1, Churaman Khadka, confirmed that nomination papers and election symbols have been finalized, and preparations for polling site and center management are underway.