BAITADI, Feb 25: In Baitadi, a far-western district with only one electoral constituency, the upcoming election has turned into a high-stakes and closely watched contest.
A diverse and high-profile lineup of candidates has entered the race, making this one of the most intriguing electoral battles in the region.
Among the prominent faces are Bhupendra Bahadur Chand, son of former Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand; Nepali Congres leader Chatur Bahadur Chand, also president of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN); as well as candidates representing the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, the Shram Sanskriti Party led by Harka Sampang, the Aam Janata Party (AJP), and the Madhesh-centric Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal.
The breadth of contenders alone has added excitement to the race. What makes it even more compelling is the political cross-current at play: candidates from the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML are facing former leaders of their own parties.
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Parmananda Bhatta, contesting from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), is a former UML leader, while Hari Mohan Bhandari, running from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), previously belonged to the NC. This time, Damodar Bhandari represents UML, while CAN President Chand is contesting from the NC. The central battle appears to revolve around NC, UML, RSP, and NCP.
Yet Bhupendra Bahadur Chand is far from a fringe player. Contesting from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), he has drawn noticeable local support. At a tea shop in Gothalapani, a local resident remarked candidly, “If Bhupendra had contested from NC or RSP instead of RPP, no one else would have stood a chance. His victory would have been certain.” The comment reflects a broader sentiment — many locals appreciate his speaking style, demeanor, and approach to campaigning.
Meanwhile, CAN President Chand is projecting strong confidence. Moving beyond the district headquarters, he has been traveling from village to village, actively engaging in door-to-door outreach. “Right now, we are explaining our agenda to the people, and they are understanding. The situation has become very favorable for us,” said Deependra Bahadur Chand, Deputy Secretary of NC Baitadi. “The people want change this time.”
UML candidate Damodar Bhandari is equally assertive. In the 2022 election, he secured victory with 33,611 votes. Having already won twice before, a win this time would mark his fourth electoral success.
“This time too, UML will win in Baitadi. The people are impressed with the work we have done here,” Bhandari said. The outgoing Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, who served during KP Sharma Oli’s tenure as prime minister, believes the main contest is between UML and NC. NC candidate Chand echoes that view, identifying UML as his primary rival while expressing equal confidence in his own victory.
Both NC and UML have centered their campaigns on Baitadi’s prosperity and overall development, making growth and infrastructure key electoral themes.
RSP candidate Hari Mohan Bhandari, judging by the party’s energetic campaign style in Baitadi, is also far from a weak challenger. Locals suggest he stands a realistic chance of pulling off an upset. When a Republica reporter reached Baitadi on 22 February, Bhandari had blocked the main highway leading into the district headquarters to hold a corner meeting — a dramatic gesture that underscored his aggressive campaign approach.
Other candidates in the race include Aan Singh Bhandari from JSP Nepal, Nawaraj Koirala from the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, Gajendra Raj Pandey from the Shram Sanskriti Party, Ram Bahadur Kunwar from NCP, and Bisan Singh Bohara from AJP. Jayaprakash Bohara is contesting as an independent candidate. Altogether, 11 candidates are vying for the single seat this time.
Baitadi has 156,372 registered voters in this election — approximately 6,000 more than in 2022. The district comprises four municipalities and six rural municipalities and is home to an airport in Patan.
However, the airport has remained non-operational for a long time. Reviving it has once again become a shared campaign promise among candidates from all parties. Yet, as in previous elections, when — or whether — that promise will be fulfilled remains uncertain.
