In the upcoming House of Representatives elections on Falgun 21, twelve former ministers are contesting from Sudurpaschim Province. The province has sixteen constituencies, and major political parties have fielded former ministers as candidates in several key areas.
The Nepali Congress has nominated Narayan Prakash Saud from Kanchanpur-2. Saud has previously held multiple ministerial positions in the federal government. Except for Saud, Nepali Congress has fielded new candidates across other constituencies in Sudurpaschim, according to provincial co-vice-chair Chintamani Bhatt.
From the Nepali Communist Party, former Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal is contesting from Achham-1. The party has also fielded former federal ministers Prem Ale from Kailali-5 and Bina Magar from Kanchanpur-1.
The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) has fielded former Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Trilochan Bhatt as a direct candidate from Doti. Former provincial minister Prakash Bahadur Shah is contesting from Bajura, while Man Bahadur Sunar, who previously served as a State Minister, is the party’s candidate from Kanchanpur-3.
From the CPN-UML, former ministers are also contesting from Sudurpaschim. Ganesh Singh Thagunna, a former federal minister, is running from Darchula, while Damodar Bhandari, another ex-federal minister, is contesting from Baitadi. Former minister and UML deputy general secretary Lekhraj Bhatt is the candidate from Kailali-4. Gauri Shankar Chaudhary, a former federal minister, is contesting from Kailali-3, according to CPN-UML Sudurpaschim secretary Ran Bahadur Chand. Former provincial minister Jhapat Bahadur Bohara is contesting from Achham-1, while Janajati youth representation is ensured with the nomination of ANNFSU central chairman Deepak Dhami in Doti.
Secretary Chand stated, “UML is fully prepared to organize election rallies and meetings across all constituencies.” Initial assessments suggest the main competition in Sudurpaschim will be among Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Nepali Communist Party, and the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Sudurpaschim Province has a total of 1,716,660 registered voters. According to the Provincial Election Office in Dhangadhi, 206 candidates are contesting across the province’s 16 constituencies.
This article was originally published on https://bajarkochirfar.com. Translated with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
