Sankhuwasabha Election Update: Candidates Intensify Door-to-door Campaigns

Sankhuwasabha — Although formal election campaigns have not yet officially begun in Sankhuwasabha, as in other constituencies across the country, candidates have intensified their door-to-door meetings with voters.

According to preliminary reports, the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21, 2082 will see a major competition between the CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, Nepal Communist Party, and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). This time, new faces are in the fray. The main competition is expected to be between Dr. Arjun Karki from the UML, Dipan Kumar Shrestha from the Congress, Mingma Sherpa from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Sarita Khadka from the Nepal Communist Party.

UML candidate Dr. Karki is an experienced Nepali diplomat, development thinker, and democratic activist. Born and raised in Sankhuwasabha, he has played leadership roles at national and international levels for over three decades in the fields of poverty alleviation, social justice, democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.

Serving as the Ambassador of the Government of Nepal to the United States, as well as various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Karki has made significant contributions to promoting Nepal's sovereignty, diplomatic relations, and national interests. Additionally, as a former member of the National Development Council, he actively advocated internationally for the restoration of democracy in Nepal in 2063 BS.

He has been a strong voice on issues of poverty, inequality, land rights, agricultural reform, social inclusion, and peacebuilding. Having provided clear and firm leadership for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and developing nations in multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union, Dr. Karki stated that he now wishes to voice the Sankhuwasabha people's aspirations for development and prosperity in the Federal Parliament. "I want to dedicate the rest of my life to the development of my birthplace and the country," he said.

Dipan Kumar Shrestha, a central member of the Nepali Congress and a candidate for the House of Representatives from Sankhuwasabha, entered politics through the student movement. He became the district president of the Nepal Student Union in 2053 BS, the Congress district president in 2073 BS, and eventually a central committee member of the party in 2082 BS. Remaining continuously active in the district's social organizations and working at the grassroots level on local development plans, he expressed hope that he would be the people's choice.

Sarita Thapa Khadka, who was an active member of the ANNISU during the 2046 BS movement for the restoration of democracy, obtained her party membership in 2049 BS. Since 2058 BS, while teaching in Sankhuwasabha district, she has been raising her voice for professional rights through the Nepal National Teachers' Organization. She participated actively in the 2062–2063 BS People's Movement. 

She has been continuously struggling for women's rights and interests through the All Nepal Women's Association (ANWA) district committee. Since 2067 BS, she has served two terms as a secretariat member of the CPN-UML district committee. After the death of her husband, Dambar Khadka, in 2067 BS, she left teaching to join politics full-time and was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly.

Khadka, who is the provincial chair of the former CPN (S) and a central member of the Nepal Communist Party, states that the party has presented her as a direct female candidate for the House of Representatives due to her experience, honesty, and the people's trust.

Mingma Sherpa, a world-famous mountaineer and tourism entrepreneur from Sankhuwasabha, created history by climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. Besides mountaineering, Mingma Sherpa is a leading figure in Nepal's adventure tourism industry. The founder of several companies, including ‘Seven Summit Treks,’ this is his first time entering direct politics. He stated that he joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party and became a candidate for the House of Representatives because the people want change.

Governance and development are the main issues. All candidates in the election fray have made good governance, development, tourism promotion, and investment in agriculture their primary agendas. Congress candidate Shrestha claims that change in the country is possible only through good governance and a corruption-free society. UML’s Dr. Karki stated that much can be done for the happiness and prosperity of Nepal and its people.

Sherpa has pledged to promote Sankhuwasabha’s tourism and introduce it to the international level, while the NCP’s Sarita Khadka pointed out that despite being rich in natural resources, 21 percent of the district's residents still live below the poverty line due to a lack of utilization, claiming she will play a role in building a society based on good governance and free of corruption.

In Sankhuwasabha, which has 119,630 voters, there are 109 polling stations and 164 polling centers. This time, 16 candidates, including three women, are in the race, representing 15 parties and one independent candidate.

While UML and Congress candidates have traditionally won previous elections, a different competition is expected this time. In the 2079 BS election, Deepak Khadka of the Congress was elected, while CPN-UML leader Rajendra Prasad Gautam was defeated. In the 2070 BS election, Khadka defeated Gautam in the then Constituency No. 2, but Gautam took revenge in the 2074 BS election. However, this time the competition is different as neither Gautam nor Khadka is in the race.

UML candidate Dr. Karki appears to be at the center of attention. Voters are observing him closely due to his international reputation and his continuous social service and development work in the district.