Jhapa-2 gains spotlight with high-profile contestants

By Bishnu Prasad Pokharel 

Damak, Jan. 30: Jhapa district is drawing attention ahead of the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) elections, with several high-profile candidates in the race. Alongside Constituency 5, Constituency 2 has emerged as one of the most closely watched contests.

A total of 18 candidates are contesting in Jhapa-2, including former Speaker Devraj Ghimire, former Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar, former ministers Sarita Prasai and Dharmashila Chapagain, and advocate Bhadra Prasad Nepal ‘Swagat'.

Former Speaker Ghimire is contesting from the CPN-UML, while former Deputy Speaker Rana Magar is running as a candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). 

Both are actively engaged in door-to-door campaigns and election activities. Advocate Nepal, who was the runner-up in the 2022 election as an independent candidate, is contesting this time from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

CPN-UML candidate Ghimire said he is confident of winning public support based on the development work carried out during his three-year tenure and his contribution to strengthening the constituency’s identity.

 He expressed hope that voters would give him another mandate to complete ongoing development projects.

Rana Magar, a candidate of Rastriya Swatantra Party, said her contribution to society and growing public demand for change would work in her favour. 

She said she has always worked without personal interest and is committed to representing public aspirations. 

Previously elected through the proportional representation system, she said she is now seeking a direct mandate from voters.

Nepali Congress leader and former minister Sarita Prasai said the party has a strong voter base in the constituency and expressed confidence in victory. 

She said her campaign prioritises local issues, adding that vote division due to multi-cornered competition could work in the party’s favour.

Former Constituent Assembly member and ex-minister Dharmashila Chapagain of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) has also intensified her campaign. 

She said her long struggle for the country and political change is well understood by local voters, making her victory certain. Chapagain was elected from this constituency in 2008 CA elections.

RPP candidate Nepal claimed that he represents genuine change and an alternative political force. 

He said that while other parties have accepted the current constitution, his party seeks reform, making it a new and different option for voters. 

RPP leaders believe Nepal has strong chances of winning this time due to the party’s growing influence in the district.

Jhapa-2 includes Arjundhara Municipality, wards 1 to 9 of Birtamode Municipality, wards 8 and 9 of Kankai Municipality, and wards 1, 2 and 3 of Buddhashanti Rural Municipality.

According to the District Election Office, the constituency has 147,522 registered voters.

In the previous House of Representatives election, UML candidate Ghimire won with 28,716 votes, while independent candidate Nepal secured 26,455 votes. 

In proportional representation voting at the time, UML received 26,490 votes, RSP 22,517, Nepali Congress 15,498, RPP 7,880, and CPN (Maoist Centre) 3,839 votes.