From Congress Acting President to Gen Z Movement Leader: A Showdown in Surkhet-1

Surkhet – The upcoming House of Representatives election in Surkhet Constituency No. 1 is shaping up to be extremely interesting and competitive. 

Nepali Congress Acting Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, CPN-UML's Dhurba Bahadur Shahi, Nepali Communist Party's Jit Bahadur Rana, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Central Member Rabi Kiran Hamal are facing off in the electoral field.

The presence of candidates ranging from a top leader of the country's largest party, Nepali Congress, to Rabi Kiran Hamal, who successfully established a national identity through the 'Gen Z Movement,' has made the election in Surkhet-1 a matter of special interest.

In this constituency, where Congress and UML have maintained dominance since the restoration of multiparty democracy, even the Maoists could not secure a win in the 2064 election. Against this historical backdrop, RPP candidate Hamal is preparing to mount a stiff challenge against the old and established leaders this time.

There is visible dissatisfaction among voters toward Purna Bahadur Khadka, who has been elected multiple times, citing a lack of expected results regarding good governance and development. 

Similarly, UML candidate Dhurba Bahadur Shahi faces allegations of failing to play a significant role in parliament despite being elected. Political analysts suggest that Nepal Communist Party candidate Jit Bahadur Rana's influence remains limited to specific areas.

Meanwhile, Rabi Kiran Hamal, who has consistently advocated for good governance, nationalism, and accountability, has succeeded in building a nationwide identity through the Gen Z movement as a leader with a rebellious nature, not just in Surkhet. His candidacy is being viewed as a representation of the new generation and a challenge to the old political culture.

As seen across the country, there is a rapidly growing public sentiment in Surkhet-1 to elect the new generation this time. Amidst these public aspirations and old political equations, interest is peaking over which direction the Surkhet-1 election will take.