RUPANDEHI: The Rupandehi-3 by-election scheduled for November 3 has intensified political maneuvering, as major parties and alliances finalize their candidate strategies.

Amid the political jockeying, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has reaffirmed Lekhjung Thapa as its candidate, despite controversy surrounding his marital history.

RSP confirms Thapa, clears polygamy allegations

Lekhjung Thapa, RSP’s candidate, became the subject of debate after reports suggested he had two marriages. Some media outlets raised the question of polygamy, prompting the party to temporarily investigate the matter.

On Monday, RSP leaders had warned that Thapa’s candidacy might be withdrawn if he failed to provide legal proof that his first marriage had ended.

Responding to this, Thapa posted on Facebook on Tuesday, presenting documents confirming his first marriage to Sulochana Ghimire had been legally dissolved.

He also shared that the marriage produced a child, who remains under his care. Thapa’s second wife, Numa Sharma, resides in Kathmandu, and party leaders indicated their marital relationship remains stable.

An RSP insider confirmed that Thapa will continue as the party’s candidate, adding that the party had thoroughly reviewed the matter before his nomination and is not considering any alternative.

Thapa is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday or Wednesday to share all relevant information, while the party shifts its focus to campaigning among Rupandehi voters.

Political jostling intensifies

The ruling party, CPN-UML, has already selected Khimlal Bhattarai as its candidate. Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), RSP, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) are actively engaged in candidate selection talks, while seven Madhes-centric parties within the Federal Democratic Front have also intensified discussions since last week.

Among the Madhes-centric parties within the Federal Democratic Front, the Janamat Party led by CK Raut has already decided to field Dhaniram Chaudhary as its candidate.

The Nagrik Unmukti Party has also shown interest in contesting but is not formally registered with the Election Commission for the by-election.

The remaining five parties have pledged to support whichever candidate is ultimately agreed upon, with Rastriya Mukti Party leaders expressing confidence that a consensus candidate will emerge.

Kulman Ghising’s name circulates

Amid these deliberations, Nagrik Unmukti Party patron Resham Chaudhary reportedly proposed Kulman Ghising, former NEA Executive Director, as a candidate.

According to front leaders, Chaudhary believed Ghising’s candidacy would be strategically advantageous. “Once Chaudhary suggested it, other parties appeared to step back,” one leader said.

A source close to Ghising dismissed the rumors, noting that he is currently engaged in the Ujyalo Nepal campaign and his foreign visits to Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Dubai are related to meeting Nepali youth working abroad.

Ghising had hinted at entering politics after being removed from his NEA Executive Director post. He left Nepal on July 1, and is presently in the Gulf region, with plans to visit Dubai, Oman, and Qatar.

Other parties’ preparations

The Nepali Congress is in a study and assessment phase, with General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma sent to Rupandehi to evaluate the electoral situation.

He visited the district in late July and mid-August, holding consultations with the provincial party committee and affiliated organizations. Similarly, a meeting on August 18 involved discussions about forming by-election subcommittees.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) is finalizing candidate selection. Party leaders stated that a parliamentary committee meeting will soon determine the candidate.

Earlier, RPP Chairperson Rajendra Lingden consulted four prospective candidates, who all agreed to accept the party’s decision and support the chosen nominee.

Meanwhile, the previously active Nagrik Unmukti Party, due to its lack of registration with the Election Commission, is unable to formally field a candidate. As a result, options are limited to “dummy” candidates.

The Federal Democratic Front may support the candidate suggested by Resham Chaudhary, but the Janmat Party has independently registered a candidate for Rupandehi-3.

The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) has recommended seven names as potential candidates for the Rupandehi-3 by-election.

The party’s district committee in Bhairahawa proposed the names during a meeting, including General Secretary and former Agriculture Minister Ghanshyam Bhusal, who was elected as a member of parliament from this constituency in 2017 elections representing CPN-UML.

Other recommended names are Lumbini Province Vice-Chair Kamal Bhandari, Rupandehi District Chair Hiradhwaj Shah, Provincial Committee Member Ananda Prasad Gupta, Asha Chaudhary, Thaneswar Kharel, and Rupandehi-1 Co-Incharge Bijayalakshmi Rai.

Electoral history and stakes

Rupandehi 3 incorporates Sudhdhodhan Rural Municipality, Sidhhartanagar Municipality, wards 1 to 3, 6 and 7 of Siyari Rural Municipality, ward 2 of Omasatiya Rural Municipality, wards 7 and 8 of Mayadevi Rural Municipality, wards 13 and 14 of Tilottama Municipality and wards 14 to 19 of Butwal Sub-metropolitan City.

In the 2022 parliamentary election, RPP leader Deepak Bohara defeated Nepali Congress leader Balkrishna Khand to win this constituency, securing 36,717 votes against Khan’s 34,036.

In that election, the CPN-UML supported RPP, while Nepali Congress had the backing of the Maoist Centre and Unified Socialist Party.

Proportional representation results indicate Nepali Congress received 20,279 votes, RPP 9,183, UML 16,986, while Maoist Centre and Unified Socialist brought in 2,637 and 781 votes respectively.

In the same election, RSP candidate Jit Bahadur Gupta Teli finished third in first-past-the-post with 5,769, while Nagarik Unmukti Party and Janamat Party candidates polled 4,751 and 3,317 votes respectively.

Proportional representation votes had RSP third with 14,154, Nagarik Unmukti 6,010, and Janamat Party 3,732.