Rajunath Pandey, who was once known as the 'close' of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, is set to become an MP for the new Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) led by Shah. With his victory from Kathmandu-3 by 18,757 votes, Pandey's journey to parliament is now clear.  His rival, Jyalo Nepal Party Chairman Kulman Ghising, has secured 11,171 votes. 

Pandey is also the outgoing police chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. He had resigned from the post of Metropolitan Police Chief to contest the election. Pande is known as the close of senior leader Balen Shah in the RSS. After Shah resigned from Kathmandu Metropolitan City to contest the election from Jhapa-5, Pandey also resigned from the post of Municipal Police Chief on 20th Magh. 

In Bhadra 2079, Shah had given Pandey the responsibility of Municipal Police Chief.  Balen had brought in Pandey after removing the then police chief Dhanapati Sapkota. The main reason for bringing in Pandey was said to be his 'tough nature' and 'action-oriented' work style. At that time, Balen had started a campaign to demolish illegal structures in the metropolis, clear sidewalks, and remove basements that were not approved by the map. Balen needed a fearless charioteer to complete this challenging and controversial task, which Pandey helped him complete.

Pandey was born on 26 Magh 2027 in Nuwakot. Pandey, who completed his master's degree from Tribhuvan University, joined the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police Service in 2050 BS. Before that, he was in the Nepal Police.

From dozers in Thapathali to fistfights in Asan

Pandey was repeatedly at the center of controversy during his tenure as the city police chief. In December 2079, while trying to clear a squatter settlement on the banks of the Bagmati in Thapathali, there was a major clash between locals. Human rights activists criticized him for using force to drive a dozer into a squatter settlement without any alternative. Serious questions were raised about Pandey's working style after a video of him confiscating a corn roasting cart belonging to a disabled person while confiscating the carts and goods of sidewalk vendors in Baneshwor, Asan and New Road areas went public.

Tensions arose repeatedly between local traders and the city police while clearing shops in Asan and Indrachowk areas. Pandey was embroiled in a major controversy after the businessman accused him of publicly threatening and behaving indecently. He was also suspended from the city for 6 months.

Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain had suspended Pandey for 6 months on the grounds that he had obstructed him from entering the office. Pandey had filed a writ petition in the court against the decision, and after the court issued an interim order, he returned to work. After completing 6 months, his action was automatically dismissed and the court dismissed the writ.

The High Court dismissed the writ on the basis that the committee formed to investigate Pandey had given him a clean chit. On the same basis, Administrative Officer Guragain had given him a letter of dismissal. Pandey had gone into the election with good governance as the main issue.

Pandey claims to work for good governance and the rule of law

Pandey claimed to Kantipur that voters have trusted him and that he will play a leading role in maintaining good governance by utilizing it. He responded by raising a strong voice to implement the demands raised in the Gen-G movement of 23 and 24 Bhadra, from making laws in parliament.