In the 2048 election, Madan Bhandari, the then general secretary of UML, who defeated the then party president of the Congress and the prime minister of the interim government, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai from Kathmandu-1, died in a jeep accident in Dasdhunga on 3rd May 2050. The main reason for Bhattarai's defeat in that constituency was the positive effect Madan's speech had on the voters. Bhattarai was defeated by few votes. Some people also talked about Bhattarai being defeated due to non-cooperation from within the Congress.

But mainly Madan's style of speech influenced the public's opinion. UML was clear that it would be difficult for any candidate to win the election in Kathmandu-1, which was vacant after Madan's death. At that time, the message that the death of Madan and Jeevanraj Ashrit was unnatural and conspiratorial was spread throughout the country.

In particular, UML was indirectly suspecting the Congress in the assassination of the leader. Similarly, UML was very aggressive towards the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

Especially after the election of 2048, soon after the government was formed, UML was very dissatisfied with issues such as employee agitation, Tanakpur agreement, Dasdhunga accident, implementation of Arun 3rd power project. Prime Minister Koirala was the focal point of the protests during the protests. In UML's processions, slogans like 'Yaspaliko Haija Girija Prasadlai Laija', 'Talu Khuile Girija Bharathin Chirija' were used. 

UML leadership called Girija Prasad a traitor and a murderer. UML called Netadwaya's death as a conspiracy murder. Even common people did not consider the death of Madan-Ashrit as natural. 

When this background was prepared, it was discussed that UML had nominated Madan Bhandari's wife Vidya in the by-election held on January 25, 2050, expecting to win the election in Kathmandu-1. To compete with Bhattarai's personality, there was no candidate in UML who could stand in Madan's position . Therefore, after a long discussion in the UML Central Committee, it was decided to make Vidya a candidate.

Making Vidya a candidate was seen by many as a way to garner sympathy votes . Therefore, during the election campaign, UML candidate Vidya Bhandari said in a meeting held in Buddh on 16th March 2050, "My candidacy in this election is not a desire but a compulsion."

Vidya also expressed in the same meeting that the tradition of killing leaders has started in the country and that it will not lead the country in the right direction. She said that she is not an ordinary woman and also said that she has nominated in honor of the ideals and sacrifices of leaders like Madan and Jivraj. She said, "I have entered the election field with the determination to make the dreams of the leaders come true."

During the election campaign, Leftist leader Padmaratna Tuladhar said that the by-elections were to decide whether to support or reject murder, terror, inflation and treason.