Lingden seeks third consecutive victory in Jhapa-3 without UML alliance

By Bishnu Prasad Pokharel,Damak, Jan. 31: Jhapa constituency No. 3 has emerged as one of the most closely watched seats in the House of Representatives elections slated for March 5. The party-based coordination that proved decisive in the previous two elections has collapsed this time, turning the contest into an open race.

Candidates from all major parties, including the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) are all contesting independently.

RPP chairperson Rajendra Lingden, who won twice consecutively from Jhapa–3 with the support of the CPN-UML and later became Deputy Prime Minister, is contesting on his own this time. While Lingden has expressed confidence that his national political stature will help him secure a third consecutive victory, local leaders and cadres admit that the contest will not be easy.

Lingden has been campaigning on promises of local development, constitutional amendment in line with the demands of the majority, and the restoration of a Hindu state and monarchy. He claims voters will trust him as he is contesting independently and based on his own political agenda.

Based on past proportional representation votes, the Nepali Congress appears optimistic. The party has fielded Rajendra Ghimire, a well-known figure from the business sector. Party leaders said that Ghimire’s candidacy, effective cadre mobilisation and vote consolidation would be decisive factors.

With the emergence of new youth leadership within the Nepali Congress, party leaders claim a new momentum has developed. Ghimire has stated that the Nepali Congress is firmly standing in favour of the republic and the changes achieved through people’s movements.

UML's enthusiasm 

The CPN-UML is contesting independently in this constituency for the first time in 12 years. UML leader Basanta Baniya said the party is highly enthusiastic about the race.

Hari Bahadur Rajbanshi, a former Constituent Assembly member, has been nominated as the UML candidate. Jhapa–3 is known for its significant indigenous population. Rajbanshi said the local community is enthusiastic about his candidacy, as the party has nominated a representative from the indigenous community in a constituency where it forms a majority.

There is historical precedent in the area: in the first Constituent Assembly election, Purnan Singh Rajbanshi, then representing the Maoists, defeated senior Congress leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula.

Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate Prakash Pathak has entered the race claiming that intense competition among the Congress, UML and RPP could work in his favour. He argues that growing voter frustration and the division of votes among major parties could produce an unexpected result.

Pathak has said he is contesting because people are seeking change and youth-led leadership.

Seventeen candidates, including Dilliram Ghimire ‘Hikmat’, are contesting from the Nepal Communist Party (NCP). Ghimire, a young communist leader, has said the party is appealing to voters on the agenda of good governance and political stability. Like others, NCP candidates have also expressed confidence in victory.

Arithmetic of the previous election

In the 2022 election, Lingden secured 40,648 votes while contesting with UML support, defeating NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, who had backing from the ruling coalition. Sitaula received 37,372 votes.

Based on party-wise votes from the previous House of Representatives election, the Nepali Congress appears strong in the constituency, having secured 25,535 votes. The RPP received 19,743 votes, while the UML garnered 19,460 votes.

Jhapa–3 includes Ward No. 10 of Bhadrapur Municipality, Kachankawal, Haldibari and Bahradashi rural municipalities, and Birtamod Municipality. The constituency has a total of 140,857 voters, including 9,400 newly registered voters.