Fresh faces in fierce fight for Ilam-1 seat

By Kokila Dhakal,Ilam, Feb.2: The election fervour has gripped Ilam constituency-1, long regarded as the political stronghold of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, now a leader of the Nepali Communist Party.  He had contested all seven elections after 1990, losing twice in 1999 and 2022. But this time, he is not in the race, leaving new leaders to represent the constituency. 

Although the CPN-UML has traditionally dominated the constituency in the past elections, no one can guess the outcome this time. Election activities have gained momentum with 13 candidates representing 13 political parties in the fray. Despite the crowded field, the main competition is expected to be among the CPN-UML, Nepali Congress (NC) and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP).

Based on the results of the previous House of Representatives (HoR) elections and the outcomes of the local elections, traditional political parties are believed to retain a larger voter base. 

“Even though new parties have emerged, traditional parties remain more active here,” said senior citizen Man Singh Sauden of Mai Municipality. 

He added that while people often claim older parties have done little, development works such as roads, infrastructure and bridges had been funded, but delays were largely due to contractors failing to complete projects on time.

Compared to Ilam-2, Ilam-1 is considered relatively advanced in terms of physical infrastructure and development. The constituency is a leading producer of tea, milk, cheese, chhurpi, lollipops and other dairy products, as well as potatoes, ginger, broom grass, chillies and vegetables. 

It is also an important tourist destination. Consequently, most candidates have prioritised agriculture, farmer self-reliance and tourism infrastructure development as their key campaign agendas.

Most candidates are new faces. The CPN-UML has fielded Kajiman Kagate, a tea farmer by profession and a former Koshi Province Assembly member. 

Kagate has focused his agenda on strengthening the economic condition of farmers and workers, promoting tourism and completing unfinished infrastructure projects. 

“Much has been done in Ilam-1, but many projects remain incomplete,” he said, pledging to prioritise economic empowerment, education, healthcare and agricultural market access.

NC candidate Nishkal Rai, also a new face, has centred his campaign on infrastructure development, tourism, education and health. 

The NC, which won the election in the constituency only in 1999, has presented Rai as a representative of the younger generation. He has promised to deliver more development work than previous representatives.

Similarly, NCP candidate Rana Bahadur Rai is contesting the HoR election for the first time. A two-time mayor of Suryodaya Municipality, Rai resigned from his post to enter the race. 

Known for leading Suryodaya Municipality towards notable development, he has pledged to introduce a new development model for Ilam-1 and focus on economic prosperity. “I have committed to using national and international networks, as I did at the municipal level, for the benefit of Ilam-1,” he said.

In the previous election, CPN-UML’s Mahesh Basnet defeated former Prime Minister Khanal with 25,753 votes against Khanal’s 23,089. 

This time, Rana Bahadur Rai is being viewed as Khanal’s political successor in the constituency. As the NCP is a merger of several parties, Rai is considered a strong contender.

Meanwhile, UML candidate Kagate is believed to have strong support in Mai Municipality and Maijogmai Rural Municipality. NC leaders believe that if votes are split between UML and the NCP, their candidate Rai could gain an advantage.

Other candidates in the race include Jwala Nepal of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Bimal Gadal of Rastriya Swatantra Party, Tulsi Keshari Chhujju of Nepal Workers and Peasant Party, Buddhalal Meche of Mongol National Organisation,  Hari Bahadur Gurung of Ujyaalo Nepal Party,  Binod Nembang Limbu from Shram Sanskriti Party, Dambar Singh Limbu of Nepal Janamukti Party,  Naradamani Sangpang (Nepal Communist Party), Lila Bahadur Sunuwar of Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal and Ram Prasad Limbu of the Sanghiya Loktantrik Manch. 

With multiple contenders and shifting voter dynamics, Ilam-1 is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched constituencies in the election.