Pokhara: In a significant political shift, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has achieved a major victory under the first-past-the-post electoral system in Gandaki Province during the House of Representatives (HoR) election held on March 5. The CPN (UML) and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) were unable to secure any seats across the province’s constituencies.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the RSP secured 15 out of the 18 available seats in Gandaki Province. The party claimed victory in every constituency except Myagdi, Mustang, and Manang. Notable RSP winners include Khadak Raj Paudel in Kaski-1, Uttam Prasad Paudel in Kaski-2, and Bina Gurung in Kaski-3. In Baglung district, both seats were won by RSP candidates Sushil Khadka and Som Sharma.
In Syangja district, Dr. Dhananjay Regmi and Jhabilal Dumre emerged victorious, while Dr. Swarnim Wagle and Shreeram Neupane claimed seats in Tanahun district. RSP also saw Rajan Gautam win in Nawalpur-1 and Manish Khanal in Nawalpur-2, with Dharmaraj KC securing a victory in Lamjung. Sagar Bhusal, Sudan Gurung, and Kabindra Burlakoti from RSP claimed seats in Parbat and Gorkha districts, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress managed to win two seats in Manang and Mustang, with Yogesh Gauchan Thakali and Tek Bahadur Gurung representing the party. Independent candidate Mahabir Pun won in Myagdi district.
The election results signify a dramatic change from the previous HoR election in 2079, where CPN (UML) and NCP secured five and two seats, respectively. The Nepali Congress also saw a reduction in its representation, having won 10 seats in the previous election but now holding only two. Additionally, the Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal lost its lone seat compared to the last election.