With Congress General Secretary Bishwaprakash Sharma formally announcing that he will not be a candidate in the upcoming House of Representatives elections, there is a possibility that the political equation of Jhapa-1 will change. Sharma, who had continuously contested from this constituency in the last three elections, had won the 2079 BS elections.

He had lost to UML leader Ravthan Koirala in the 2070 Constituent Assembly and the then NCP candidate Ram Karki (Partha Chhetri) in 2074. He had won against UML's Agni Kharel by more than double the votes. He has withdrawn from the Falgun 21 elections to be held by the interim government formed after the Gen-G movement, arguing that he should give 'newcomers an opportunity'.

At a recent meeting in Jhapa, Sharma recalled that he had suffered defeats in 2070 and 2074 and won with everyone's support in 2079. Stating that he had been a candidate three times in a row, he said, 'I do not want to be the candidate for the fourth time. I have already urged those who want to contest, friends, to reach out to the citizens in matters of issues, development, and happiness. Thank you for recommending me as a single candidate now.' He added, 'It is not necessary for the same person to always contest for MP, we should take turns. So, friends who are interested in Jhapa-1, come forward, I will help you.'

With this decision of his, there is a widespread discussion about who is Sharma's alternative in Jhapa-1, from the tea shop in Dhulabari to the party headquarters. The party had recently recommended Sharma's name as a single candidate from Jhapa-1. However, Sharma had made it clear in the party's Central Working Committee meeting that he would not be a candidate. Earlier, on Poush 9, he had made an open call to interested leaders to claim the position with the workers of Jhapa-1 in his hometown Dhulabari.

He had already indicated in his statement given in Dhulabari about a year ago, on Poush 12, 2081, that 'I may not be a candidate in 2084'. However, at that time, there was a debate on whether this statement was a strategic 'mind game' or a real decision. Now, Sharma's decision has removed that confusion.

Limited competition within the Congress

The possibility of any 'imported' candidate from outside the Congress in Jhapa-1 seems low . Since managing established and active leaders within the party will be challenging, the center is not in a position to bring in candidates from outside . Therefore, attention has focused on potential faces within the party .

Four leaders are at the forefront of the names that have been discussed so far . At number one is Bimal Acharya . Acharya is a member of the Congress Mahasamiti and former mayor of Mechinagar Municipality . As a leader with executive experience at the local level, he is considered strong in terms of both organizational and local public relations, said a Congress leader from Mechinagar.

Second, the name of Lokraj Dhakal is also in the news . Dhakal, the president of Nepal Red Cross Society Jhapa, is a leader with long experience in the field of humanitarian service and disaster management . A former journalist, his social image and access to non-political voters are considered strong .

Similarly, Keshav Raj Pandey is also in the news. Pandey, the vice president of Congress Jhapa, has been active in student politics. Pandey, who is skilled in organization building and considered close to leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula, is known as a leader with a strong organizational base within the party.

Another name among the aspirants for the candidate is Indra Bahadur Budhathoki. Budhathoki, the regional president of Jhapa-1, has been active in Congress politics since his student days. He is known as a confidant of General Secretary Sharma. This is why his chances are analyzed to have become stronger after the recent developments. There is talk in Congress circles that Sharma also wants to make Budhathoki a candidate.

The hint given by the 'single recommendation'

An important question has arisen in this context, why did Sharma's regional committee, which had been encouraging other leaders to prepare for a year, send only Sharma's single name when recommending a candidate to the center? Why were the names of other aspirants not included?

According to political analysts, this can have two meanings. First, respect and pressure towards Sharma. Second, strategic openness. Since a single name was recommended, the party center has opened up space to give tickets to anyone if Sharma does not become a candidate. If multiple names were recommended, it would have been difficult to give tickets to people outside the list. This situation is estimated to have increased the possibility that Sharma's confidant Budhathoki could also be the center's choice.

Sharma's decision has intensified the search for a new leadership within the Congress in Jhapa-1. Analysts say that this decision is not only a change of candidacy, but also a political message that challenges the culture of 'constituency capture' and 'always being the candidate' within the party.