By Our Reporter
Rastriya Swatantra Party which was formed only a few months ago under journalist Rabi Lamicchane has served as a big blow to the traditional political parties across the country. The party is leading four of the 10 constituencies of Kathmandu, one in Lalitpur, two in Chitwan, and one in Sunsari. In the preliminary counting, it had emerged ahead of other candidates in Kaski, Nawalparasi and Jhapa. But their candidates won only in three districts—Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Chitwan.
Its candidate Sovita Gautam won in Kathmandu-2, where Maoist Centre leader Onsari was in the race. Likewise, RSP candidates Shisir Khanal in Kathmandu-6, Ganesh Parajuli in 7 and Biraj Bhakta Shrestha in 8 won the elections. Its candidate Tek Bahadur Pokhrel was the closest contender in Kathmandu-9. Interestingly, the mainstream political party candidates were not close contenders in Kathmandu-8 as independent candidate Suman Sayami was behind Biraj Bhakta Shrestha. Sitting Minister Jeevan Ram Shrestha garnered mere 4,266 votes while Biraj got 10,105 votes. Toshima Karki has left Pampha Bhusal of the Maoist Centre in Lalitpur-3 far behind. Party Chair Lamichhae is leading in Chitwan -2 and Hari Dhakal in Chitwan-1 with a big margin.
Moreover, in the Proportional Representation system, it has secured the third largest votes behind NC leaving the Maoist Centre far behind.
The surprise entry of the RSP in the House of Representatives could be a blow to the political parties which gave more importance to the well-being of the leaders than the people and the country. Surprisingly, RSP has not fielded any candidate for provincial assembly elections and its leaders did not cast vote in the PA poll as they opposed federalism. The dramatic win of RSP candidates in key seats has come as a big challenge to the traditional parties with a warning that they could be eliminated if they do not correct themselves and work for the people.
Election wipes out many established leaders
The CPN-UML has termed Kathmandu-5 as the safest constituency for its candidates. But its senior vice president Ishwar Pokharel lost the election to NC youth leader Pradip Paudel by a big margin. Paudel garnered 15, 237 votes while Pokharel got only 10, 172 votes.
Party general secretary Shankar Pokhrel, who is regarded to be the successor of KP Sharma Oli, is trailing behind in Dang. Rekha Sharma of the Maoist Centre is leading him with more than 2,000 votes.
Upendra Yadav, chairman of Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal is the biggest loser of this election. He lost the election to CK Raut, chairman of Janamt Party, by a big margin. Mahantha Thakur of the Loktantrik Samjwadi Party is also behind in counting in Mahottari.
UML’s Subas Nembang is also trailing behind NC candidate Damabr Khadka in Ilam-2, while Rajan Bhattarai lost the election to Gagan Kumar Thapa in Kathmandu-4. Similarly, party vice chair Surendra Pande, and party secretaries Yogesh Bhattarai and Lekh Raj Bhatta are behind the NC candidates. Agni Sapkota lost the election in Jhapa.
Likewise, Pampha Bhusal and Onsari Gharti of the Maoist Centre lost the elections while Giriraj Mani Pokhrel is trailing behind in Mahottari. CPN Unified Socialist leaders Jeevan Ram Shrestha and Jhalantah Khanal faced defeat. Likewise, NC leader and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki are trailing behind in Sunsari-4.
Jagadish Prasad Kusait of the UML has left him behind. NC’s Krishna Sitaula also likely to lose the election to RPP’s Rajendra Lingden in Jhapa-3.
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