Political parties are busy selecting direct candidates for the House of Representatives elections to be held in Falgun. Candidates will have to file their nominations on 6th Magh. Due to the fervor of the Gen-G movement, this time both new and old parties have tried to prioritize young candidates.

Parties have already recommended names of candidates for direct elections from constituencies, districts and provinces. The party's candidate selection committee is preparing to make a final list of the recommended names. Parties including Congress, UML, CPN, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), RPP, JSP Nepal and others are busy preparing the final list of candidates for direct elections from 165 constituencies. So far, no major party has agreed to form an alliance in the election. 

Parliamentary board to be formed in Congress to select candidates

The Congress Central Working Committee's meeting on Friday decided to form a parliamentary board under the coordination of President Gagan Thapa to select direct candidates. The Congress has stated that it will start its homework to select candidates from Sunday as the Election Commission gave official recognition to the Thapa-led Congress only on Friday.

Congress Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma said that the Congress would finalize all the candidates within two days, saying that the elections should not be stopped due to party disputes. He informed that they are working to finalize candidates in all 165 constituencies. "Our team is working to finalize the candidate within the next two days," he said. 

Congress President Thapa has told Kantipur that he wants to be a candidate from Kathmandu-4. Thapa has suggested that it would be appropriate for him to take a break even though outgoing President Sher Bahadur Deuba has been recommended as a candidate from Dadeldhura. General Secretary Pradeep Poudel has been recommended from Kathmandu-5 and Tanahun-2. He won from Kathmandu-5 in the 2079 election. 

Similarly, leader Shekhar Koirala is preparing to stand from the same constituency this time as he is a candidate from Morang-6. His group, which is opposing the special general convention, has already decided to participate in the elections under the leadership of President Thapa. Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma has said that he will not be a candidate from Jhapa-1. Candidates have been recommended from all constituencies before the Congress came to power.

UML's 140 candidates finalized 

The UML Central Secretariat meeting has finalized 140 candidates for the direct election. Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta said that most of the candidates have been finalized after the meeting on Saturday. The names of Deputy General Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai, who previously won from Taplejung, and leader Ishwor Pokharel, who was a candidate from Kathmandu-5, are not included in the list of UML candidates. Chairman KP Sharma Oli will finalize the candidates for the remaining constituencies, including them. Vice President Bishnu Poudel has moved from Rupandehi-2 to Palpa-2. General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has not finalized his candidacy in Dang-2. Deputy Secretary Bhattarai had a different opinion on the selection of candidates in the meeting.

Since UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli's name was single-handedly recommended, it is certain that he will contest from Jhapa-5. Similarly, Vice President Gokarna Bista has been nominated from Gulmi-2, and Vice President Prithvi Subba Gurung has been nominated from Lamjung. Secretary Bhanubhakta Dhakal has been nominated from Morang to Tehrathum,  former Julie Mahato and  Raghubir Mahaseth have been nominated from Dhanusha-3 and 4 . Kisan Shrestha from Bara-4 and Milan (Chakre) Gurung from Gorkha-2 have been confirmed . 

Similarly, Deputy Secretary General Lekhraj Bhatta from Kailali-4, Secretary Mahesh Basnet from Bhaktapur-2, Pradeep Gyawali from Gulmi-1, Khimlal Bhattarai from Rupandehi-5, and Surya Thapa from Pyuthan were single-nominated. Suhang Nembang from Ilam-2, Leelanath Shrestha from Siraha-3, Gulabjung Shah from Salyan, Surya Dhakal from Banke-1, Dhruv Shahi from Surkhet-1, Kulmani Devkota from Surkhet-2, Damodar Bhandari from Baitadi and Ganesh Thagunna from Darchula have been nominated.

Claim that 50 percent youth candidates will be nominated in the NCP

The NCP is going to automatically give tickets to candidates with a single recommendation. NCP leader Barshaman Pun said that those who are unanimously recommended will be made direct candidates. He informed that the NCP will make at least 50 percent youth candidates this time. ‘This time, 50 percent youth candidates will be made,’ he said, ‘A consensus will be reached through discussions.’ Another NCP leader Beduram Bhusal said that tickets have been distributed to candidates with a single recommendation and those from areas with more than one.

NCP coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal and co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal have been confirmed as candidates from Rukum East and Nepal Rautahat-1, respectively. In the last general election, Dahal had won from Gorkha-2 and Nepal Rautahat-1. Dahal was recommended for the House of Representatives from Nuwakot-1, Sindhuli-2, Ramechhap, Mahottari-4, Gorkha-1, Rolpa, Rukum East and Kailali-3.

Other NCP leaders Narayan Kaji Shrestha are likely to be candidates from Sarlahi-3 and Bamdev Gautam from Bardiya-1. UML former vice-chairman and leader Bhim Rawal is likely to be a candidate from Achham-1. Leader Barshaman Pun is likely to be a candidate from Rolpa. Similarly, Prakash Jwala is likely to be a candidate from his old seat Salyan. Pun and Jwala had won from those constituencies in the last election. 

Bharatpur Metropolitan City Mayor Renu Dahal is preparing to become a candidate from the NCP in Chitwan-3. Coordinator Dahal-putri has resigned from the post of mayor and is preparing to run for the party. Coordinator Dahal had won from the same constituency in the 2074 election. Dahal's daughter-in-law Bina Magar is certain to contest from Kanchanpur-1.

Lalbir Chaudhary, who joined the NCP after uniting with the Civil Liberation Party, is preparing to contest from Bardiya-2, and activist Suman Sayami, who joined the National Liberation Party, is preparing to contest from Kathmandu-8. In Jhapa-5, the NCP had given tickets to former Akhil president Ranjit Tamang in Oli's constituency, Naresh Bhandari in Jumla, Prem Ale in Kailali-5, Prakash Shah in Bajura, and Dhan Bahadur Budha in Dolpa.

Similarly, Manahari Timsena from Pavarta, Madhav Sapkota from Sindhupalchowk-1 and Yubaraj Dulal from Sindhupalchowk-2 are set to be candidates. Vishal Khadka from Dolakha, Rajan Dahal from Sindhuli-2, Rajkaji Maharjan from Lalitpur-3, Ram Prasad Sapkota from Bhaktapur-2, and Gopal Sharma from Rukum West are certain to be candidates. Similarly, Hariraj Adhikari from Gorkha-1 and former president of Akhil Krantikari Lekhnath Neupane from Gorkha-2 have got tickets. Leader Dev Gurung has been recommended from Lamjung.

Candidate selection in RSVP intensified

The RSVP has intensified the selection of candidates under the coordination of Vice President Swarnim Wagle. The RSVP had asked for open applications from within the party for candidacy. RSVP Joint General Secretary Bipin Acharya informed that about 700 people had applied for 165 constituencies within the deadline of 26 Pus. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had earlier fielded Lekhjung Thapa as its candidate for the Rupandehi-3 by-election. Even though the by-election has been postponed, he will automatically be the candidate for that constituency. “The candidate selection has reached the final stage,” said Vice President Wagle.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) President Ravi Lamichhane will be the candidate from Chitwan-2. He had won from the same constituency in the 2079 election and the subsequent by-election. Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah is contesting from Jhapa-5. After resigning from the post of mayor, he is going to compete with UML President KP Sharma Oli. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Vice President DP Aryal will be the candidate from Kathmandu-9, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha from Kathmandu-8, Shishir Khanal from Kathmandu-6, Vice President Swarnim Wagle from Tanahun-1, General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti from Gorkha-2, Deepak Bohara from Kanchanpur-2, and Hari Dhakal from Chitwan-1. 

RPP, JSP Nepal, Janmat and Ujjaya Nepal are preparing their own

RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden will contest from Jhapa-3. He said that RPP will field candidates in all 165 constituencies. ‘We will field candidates in all constituencies,’ he said. JSP Nepal, Nagarik Unmukti Party and Rastriya Mukti have agreed to form a front to contest the elections. Leader Sharat Singh Bhandari informed that the selection of candidates is being done under the coordination of JSP Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav. ‘We will field candidates from the front. Discussions are underway,’ he said.

Ujjaya Nepal Party, headed by Kulman Ghising, is also in the process of selecting candidates. Ghising is certain to be the candidate from Kathmandu-3. Janmat Party is also in the process of selecting candidates directly. Janmat Chairman CK Raut will be the candidate from Saptari-2. Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party is also in the process of selecting candidates. Janardan Sharma of Pralopa will be the candidate from Rukum West.

Candidates confirmed by the parties so far

UML 

Koshi

Aindra Sundar Nembang, Panchthar

Kajiman Kagate, Ilam-1

Suhang Nembang, Ilam-2

Ramchandra Upreti, Jhapa-1

Devraj Ghimire, Jhapa-2

Manoj Tamli, Jhapa-4

KP Sharma Oli, Jhapa-5

Dr. Arjun Karki, Sankhuwasabha

Rajendra Rai, Dhankuta

Sherdhan Rai, Bhojpur

Bhanubhakta Dhakal, Tehrathum

Surya Pandak, Sunsari-1

Bhagwati Chaudhary, Sunsari-4

Ghanshyam Khatiwada, Morang-1

Dilip Bagedia, Morang-2

Dilip Rai, Morang-3

Jeevan Ghimire, Morang-4

Kalpana Rai, Solukhumbu

Asmita Thapa, Okhaldhunga

Durga Thapa Swati, Udaipur-1

Amar Rayamazhi, Udaipur-2

Devvikram Rai, Khotang

Madhesh

Suman Pyakurel, Saptari-1

Satish Singh, Saptari-2

Tarakant Chaudhary, Saptari-3

Balkrishna Chaudhary, Saptari-4

Kedar Yadav, Sirha-1

Naveen Kumar Yadav, Sirha-2

Leelanath Shrestha, Sirha-3

Biltu Yadav, Sirha-4

Ramchandra Mandal, Dhanusha-1

Umashankar Agrahari, Dhanusha-2

Julie Mahato, Dhanusha-3

Raghuveer Mahaseth, Dhanusha-4

Lakshmi Mahato Koiri, Mahottari-1

Ramtishta Yadav, Mahottari-2

Saroj Yadav, Mahottari-4

Hari Upreti, Sarlahi-3

Ajay Gupta, Rautahat-1

Shailendra Shah, Rautahat-2

Kundan Kushwaha, Rautahat-3

Ramji Shah, Rautahat-4

Achyut Mainali, Bara-1

Balveer Chaudhary, Bara-2

Jwala Shah, Bara-3

Kisan Shrestha, Bara-4

Pramod Jaiswal, Parsa-3

Zalim Mia Ansari, Parsa-4

Bagmati

Pradeep KC (Katuwal), Sindhuli-1

Manojjung Thapa, Sindhuli-2

Madhav Prasad Dhungel, Ramechhap

Parvat Gurung, Dolakha

Angdorje Sherpa, Sindhupalchok-1

Sher Bahadur Tamang, Sindhupalchok-2

Amit Lama, Kavre-1

Bhumi Tripathi, Dhading-1

Dhan Bahadur Ghale, Dhading-2

Badri Mainali, Nuwakot-1

Keshav Pandey, Nuwakot-2

Prem Bahadur Tamang, Rasuwa

Rameshwar Rana, Makwanpur-1

Mahesh Bertaula, Makwanpur-2

Krishnaraj (Kamal) Pathak, Chitwan-1

Asmin Ghimire, Chitwan-2

Shankarraj Thaplia, Chitwan-3

Mohan Regmi, Kathmandu-1

Maniram Phuyal, Kathmandu-2

Rameshwar Phuyal, Kathmandu-3

Aman Kumar Maske, Kathmandu-6

Rajesh Shakya, Kathmandu-8

Vinod Shrestha, Kathmandu-10

Chetanath Sanjel, Lalitpur-1

Prem Bahadur Maharjan, Lalitpur-2

Somprasad Mishra, Bhaktapur-1

Mahesh Basnet, Bhaktapur-2

Gandaki

Bhagirath Sapkota, Nawalpur-1

Til Bahadur Mahat Kshetri, Nawalpur-2

R.C. Lamichhane, Gorkha-1

Milan Gurung, Gorkha-2

Prithvi Subba Gurung, Lamjung

Bhagwati Neupane, Tanahun-1

Kedar Sigdel, Tanahun-2

Minprasad Gurung, Syangja-1

Khim Bahadur Thapa, Syangja-2

Harikrishna Shrestha, Myagdi

Bain Bahadur Chhetri, Kaski-1

Krishna Thapa, Kaski-2

Damodar Bairagi, Kaski-3

Hira KC, Baglung-1

Manju Sharma Chalise, Baglung-2

Indradhara Bista, Mustang

Polden Sotang Gurung, Manang

Padam Giri, Parbat

Lumbini

Ram Prasad Pandey, Nawalparasi-1

Bhagwati Prasad Yadav, Nawalparasi-2

Basudev Ghimire, Roopandehi-3

Khimlal Bhattarai, Roopandehi-5

Vishram Chaudhary, Kapilvastu-1

Birendra Kanaudia, Kapilvastu-2

Ghanshyam Pandey, Dang-3

Surya Dhakal, Banke-1

Dal Bahadur Sunar, Banke-2

Salikram Adhikari, Bardia-1

Vimala Vik, Bardia-2

Narayan Acharya, Palpa-1

Bishnuprasad Paudel, Palpa-2

Gokul Gharti, Rolpa

Surya Bahadur Thapa, Pyuthan

Pitambar Bhusal, Arghakhanchi

Pradeep Gyawali, Gulmi-1

Gokarn Bisht, Gulmi-2

Karnali

Gulabjung Shah, Salyan

Nandram Devkota, Rukum West

Dhruv Shahi, Surkhet-1

Kulamani Devkota, Surkhet-2

Nagendra Shahi (National), Calicut

Shantilal Mahat, Jumla-1

Shanti Bahadur Mahat, Jumla-2

Purna Bahadur Rokaya, Mugu

Dal Fadera, Humla

Lank Rokaya, Dolpa

Rabindraraj Sharma, Dailekh-1

Lakshmiraj Sharma, Dailekh-2

Dammar Bahadur Singh, Jajarkot

Sudurpaschim

Dwarika Neupane, Kailali-1

Surya Bahadur Thapa, Kailali-2

Gauri Shankar Chaudhary, Kailali-3

Lekhraj Bhatt, Kailali-4

Yagyaraj Dhungana, Kailali-5

Kamla Bohra, Kanchanpur-1

Vachan Bahadur Singh, Kanchanpur-2

Deepak Bhatt, Kanchanpur-3

Jhapat Bahadur Bohara, Achham-1

Yagya Bogati, Achham-2

Lal Bahadur Thapa, Bajura

Deepak Dhami, Doti

Chakra Snehi, Dadeldhura

Afilal Okheda, Bajhang

Damodar Bhandari, Baitadi

Ganesh Singh Thagunna, Darchula

 - The rest will be decided by the Election Commission

NCP

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rukum East

Madhav Kumar Nepal, Rautahat-1 

Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Sarlahi-3

Bamdev Gautam, Bardiya-1 

Bhim Rawal, Achham-1 

Barshaman Pun, Rolpa 

Prakash Jwala, Salyan

Renu Dahal, Chitwan-3 

Suman Sayami, Kathmandu-8 

Bina Magar, Kanchanpur-1 

Ranjit Tamang, Jhapa-5 

Naresh Bhandari, Jumla 

Prem Ale, Kailali-5 

Madhav Sapkota, Sindhupalchok-1 

Yuvraj Dulal, Sindhupalchok-2 

Vishal Khadka, Dolakha

Rajan Dahal, Sindhuli-2

Ramprasad Sapkota, Bhaktapur-2

Gopal Sharma, Rukum Paschim

Hariraj Adhikari, Gorkha-1

Lekhnath Neupane, Gorkha-2 

RSVP

Ravi Lamichhane, Chitwan-2 

Balendra Shah, Jhapa-5

DP Aryal, Kathmandu-9 

Swarnim Wagle, Tanahun-1 

Kavindra Burlakoti, Gorkha-2

Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Kathmandu-8