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KATHMANDU, July 2: A by-election is scheduled for November 3 in Rupandehi Constituency-3. With the election date announced, major political parties have begun preparations. The ruling CPN-UML has already named Khimlal Bhattarai as its candidate, while the Nepali Congress (NC)—the largest party—and the third-largest CPN (Maoist Center) are still in discussions.
Sagar Dhakal is being widely discussed as a potential candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the fourth-largest party in parliament. Dhakal had contested the last general election from Dadeldhura as an independent candidate against former Prime Minister and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba but was defeated. After spending some time abroad, Dhakal returned to Nepal a few months ago.
RSP seeks explanation from General Secretary Dhakal
Since his return, Dhakal has grown closer to the RSP. On May 19, he entered Singha Durbar alongside RSP leader and MP Sumana Shrestha. The two even went live on Facebook from there. During the livestream, Dhakal announced his intention to contest the upcoming elections, while Shrestha urged voters to support him to ensure his victory.
Now, discussions have intensified about Dhakal running from Rupandehi-3 under the RSP banner. Dhakal himself has hinted at this possibility. "Dear people of Rupandehi-3, this is not just your election—it is the nation’s election. Be ready to speak for the country's pain, tears, and voice. The Nepali people won’t just win this time—they’ll make a clean sweep, clean and clear, in Rupandehi-3," he said. "Are you ready to make history?"
When asked about it, RSP spokesperson Manish Jha said there is a possibility that Dhakal could be the party’s candidate from Rupandehi-3. "There is buzz, and buzz signals possibility," Jha said. "It starts with discussion, then recommendation, then conclusion and decision. The fact that people are talking about it is positive."
Drawing an analogy with a past incident, Maoist Center leaders wrote graffiti calling Pushpa Kamal Dahal the "first President of the republic," and then-Speaker late Subash Chandra Nembang responded positively. Jha said Dhakal's growing mention as a candidate is a sign of acceptance.
"Public discussion is a good thing. The fact that RSP leaders, supporters, and voters are excited about Sagar Dhakal being our candidate shows they’ve accepted him as one," Jha said. "That doesn’t mean Manish Jha is declaring Sagar Dhakal as our candidate. But if there is talk, there is always a possibility. The final decision is yet to be made. There are four steps ahead—discussion, recommendation, conclusion, and then decision."
