Women candidates are posing a tough challenge to party chiefs who have become candidates in various constituencies of the country. Women who have filed candidacies against leaders at the center of power are now working to make the election competition meaningful. Party chiefs and senior leaders are candidates in Jhapa-5, Chitwan-2 and Rukum East. The women candidates who have emerged in those constituencies have intensified their campaigning.

Jhapa-5 in eastern Nepal is in the news this time due to the candidacies of UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The competition between these two leaders has now become a matter of interest. This area is considered an electoral 'hotspot'. UML Chairman Oli has been the Prime Minister three times. He has been promoted as a 'heavyweight' candidate due to his influence in the party organization, state machinery and politics. He has been winning elections from the same area continuously. Jhapa district has been considered a traditional stronghold of the UML.

Balendra Shah, the outgoing mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, has joined the RSS this time and become a candidate. Shah, who has an influence on the young generation, is a leader who has emerged at the center of national politics in a short time. With his independent image outside the traditional parties, he has influence among urban voters, youth and disaffected classes. Due to her popularity, she is also seen as a 'heavyweight' competitor in this constituency. Nepali Congress Mahasamiti member Mandhara Chimoriya, who is a candidate against both these leaders, is busy campaigning door-to-door.

She said that she took the election representing the Congress against the much-hyped competitor as an opportunity for ideological and policy debate. Chimoriya is an experienced leader who has been involved in social and political activities at the local level. In Jhapa-5, she is engaged in door-to-door campaigning, prioritizing the issues of development, employment, agriculture and good governance.

The Congress had recommended 8 people as direct candidates from Jhapa-5.

Chimoriya, who has built good relations with local voters, finally came to the fore. 'It has been 35 years since I have been active in politics from the Congress. Before that, I have experience in government jobs.' I have spent all these years in politics in social service,' Chimoriya said, 'I have worked for women, children, senior citizens, and the underprivileged. The social work I have done is the basis of my victory. It is easy for me to win the election here.'

She said that Shah is a new face for this constituency and someone who has only recently come into the spotlight. 'When someone new comes, the crowd is big. That is why it is natural for him to be in the spotlight.' She said, 'But after winning the election, the question of who will be in the happiness and sorrow of the people here is important.' She says that she will not be competitive just by opposing Oli and Balendra. 'I will not oppose anyone, I am not weak either. Not because of a famous name, but voters will definitely evaluate the person who has worked for this place.'

Born in 2019, Chimoriya received her primary education in Phungling, Taplejung. She passed her SLC in 2037 from the then Girls' Secondary School in Dharan. Although she started her studies at the campus level, she has experience working in the civil service through the public service since 2038. She has been active in the Nepali Congress since 2048. She is known in the district as a leader who has held responsibilities in the party leadership from ward to district level. Apart from politics, Chimoriya is equally active in the social sector.

Chitwan-2: Kharel against Lamichhane

Chitwan-2 is in the news because RSP President Ravi Lamichhane has become a candidate. This time, the Congress has fielded experienced social leader Meena Kharel as a candidate against Lamichhane. Both Lamichhane and Kharel are strong candidates based on popularity and experience. Lamichhane won the 2079 House of Representatives election and the 2080 by-election by a landslide from the constituency, which is considered a stronghold of the Nepali Congress Party.

Kharel has been active in the social sector in Chitwan for a long time. She has been working in the areas of women's and children's rights, women's economic empowerment and social services. For that, she is known as a popular and trustworthy personality in the local community. Lamichhane is trying to attract emotional and change-oriented votes. Meena is trying to secure stability and the traditional votes of the Congress. Kharel said that she felt comfortable competing with Lamichhane in the election.

According to her, the competition is focused on voters rather than candidates. 'I have no difficulty competing with Ravi Lamichhane,' said Kharel, 'Voters are competing to see how to win Meena.' So it doesn't seem like there is any competition between the candidates.' Chitwan-2 has 51 percent female voters. Kharel, who has been associated with this area for 35 years, said, 'I know this geography, the problems here and the people's desires very well,' she said, 'Those in whose service I spent a long time of my life are now joining my campaign.'

She claims that Congress voters were discouraged due to the alliance in the previous election and are now excited. 'The vote was divided because they were not allowed to vote on their own party's election symbol during the alliance,' she said. 'This time, the enthusiasm among the voters has been seen when the Congress contested the election with its own symbol and its own candidate.' She also claimed that her social background was a strong basis for victory in Chitwan.

‘I have worked in the field of rescue, protection and justice for more than 1200 helpless, women, adolescents and children,’ Kharel said, ‘The trust in that service is now starting to be seen in the form of votes.’

Kusumdevi against Pushpa Kamal in Rukum East

Rukum East is currently in the news after Nepali Communist Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal returned to his ‘base area.’ It is certain that there will be a contest in the elections this time between former Prime Minister Dahal and Nepali Congress Mahasamiti member Kusumdevi Thapa. Rukum East is the birthplace of the then Maoist armed war. The competition is not easy for Kusumdevi, who has entered the election fray against this backdrop.

Dahal is presented as a ‘heavyweight’ candidate due to his political experience, party organization and historical relations. Kusumdevi says that it is natural for the Congress candidate to face a challenge in the Maoist’s traditional base area.

She is not a politically weak candidate. She is a sitting MP. Thapa has campaigned on development, service delivery and the role of a public representative. She said that she does not consider Dahal as a 'heavyweight' because he is a former Prime Minister and considering his past. 'My party and I do not consider Dahal a heavyweight,' she said. 'Name, history or position do not make a difference in the election results. The main thing is who has done what for the people.'

She said that she raised her voice in Parliament about the loss of Rukum district. 'Dahal was the Prime Minister when Rukum East was sought for its existence,' she said, 'He did not care at that time.' More than 80 percent of the Magar community lives in Rukum East. She said that the election competition was not difficult because she also represents the same community. She has also questioned Dahal's electoral style.