As polling day approaches, the election campaign in Kapilvastu-2 has reached its peak. The election campaign has intensified as three 'heavyweight' candidates are making the final push to attract voters. Here, two old rivals, Surendra Raj Acharya of the Nepali Congress and Brijesh Kumar Gupta of the Nepali Communist Party, are facing a tough competition from former SSP Bikram Singh Thapa of the National Independent Party, making the election atmosphere in Kapilvastu-2 interesting and complicated.

The district headquarters Taulihawa also falls in Constituency No. 2, so the entire district is interested in the election in this constituency. In Constituency No. 2, 28 people, including 17 from the party and 11 independents, are in the fray. The candidates are going door to door to woo disgruntled and angry leaders and workers. While the old parties that have formed organizations are focused on trying to protect their votes, the parties that are entering the election arena for the first time are focusing on strategies to attract as many votes as possible from the old parties.

Those who have been elected repeatedly as members of the Constituent Assembly and members of the House of Representatives and have become ministers are reaching out to the voters to protect their old reputation. Surendra Raj Acharya and Brijesh Kumar Gupta, who have been federal ministers in Constituency No. 2 of the district, are trying to protect their legacy. Both have experience of being federal ministers of state once and cabinet ministers once. Acharya has become a candidate from the Nepali Congress and Gupta from the Nepali Communist Party. While both have been contesting the election as main contenders since 2074 BS, this time former SSP Bikram Singh Thapa has been added from the National Independent Party.

Thapa's name was also included in the four names recommended by the Congress for members of the House of Representatives for Constituency No. 2. However, after not getting a ticket from the Congress, Thapa joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and entered the election fray. Along with them, UML's Driganarayan Pandey is also in the election contest.

Coincidentally, three people have changed parties and become candidates. Apart from Acharya of the Congress, Gupta of the Nepali Communist Party, Thapa of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Pandey of the UML have changed parties and become candidates. Gupta was elected as a member of the House of Representatives from the UML and Pandey as a member of the National Assembly from the Congress. Thapa was defeated by 522 votes in Kapilvastu 2 (1) of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly in 2079 from the Congress. Acharya is facing his former colleague on one hand, and his two-time rival on the other.

Congress candidate Acharya said that his victory was assured because he did a good job as a minister twice. ‘I have built a lot of roads, irrigation schemes, and bridges in the area,’ he said, ‘that is the basis of victory. I have come with a new plan for the youth. I have a plan for what the youth should do and how to make them employed and entrepreneurial, that is why I will win the election with confidence if they are attracted to me.’ In 2079, he was defeated by 317 votes.’

He also said that the public opinion is now in his favor. ‘Even when I was defeated, I stayed among the people and served them,’ he said, ‘that is why my victory is certain.’ Candidate Gupta said that he got positive energy by moving forward with the agenda of making the youth self-employed and self-reliant, and facilitating farmers to market fertilizers, manure, irrigation, and agricultural produce. Gupta is trying to wear the garland of victory for the fifth time, while Acharya is looking for a third victory. Gupta, who started politics from the RPP in 2056, has been elected to the Constituent Assembly twice and the House of Representatives twice. Gupta, who entered politics from the RPP, has joined the Maoists through Tamalopa and UML. Acharya was elected to the Constituent Assembly once and the House of Representatives once. He has not changed parties.

Meanwhile, candidate Thapa said that the victory is now assured due to the wave of support for the RPP. A leader from this area, he said that it was very easy for him to serve the people while working as a police chief in the past. ‘I feel that there is a desire for change wherever I go,’ he said, ‘all that remains is to wear the garland of victory.’ He said that his main issue is ending corruption and good governance. Meanwhile, UML candidate Driganarayan Pandey said that his victory is assured because he received immense love and goodwill from farmers when he took up the issue of fertilizers and irrigation. ‘Even though I am a UML candidate, I have the support and backing of some of the old Congress members,’ he said, ‘that is why victory is assured. I do not dream of big things.’ Pandey said that they are succeeding in addressing the issue of saving the homes of the youth and farmers.’