Syangja, December 9, 2025 — After the Nepali Congress Syangja district committee recommended names for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21, political activities in the district have intensified.
The meeting of the Nepali Congress District Working Committee, Syangja, held on Wednesday (Mangsir 24), forwarded a list of recommended candidates to the central party office. The list includes a mix of senior leaders and notable figures, including the party’s Central Vice President and well-known journalists. Particularly in Constituency No. 1, the party has recommended 11 aspirants under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) category, indicating a tough competition within the party for the election ticket.
Senior Journalist Indra Rijal Makes Entry Into Parliamentary Politics
One of the most discussed names in this year’s recommendation list is senior journalist Indra Bahadur Rijal. The Editor-in-Chief and Chairperson of Nepalbahas.com has been recommended from Syangja Constituency No. 1 under the FPTP category.
Rijal, who has been active in journalism for a long time, is also a central member of the Nepali Congress Publicity Department. His inclusion is viewed as the party’s attempt to promote an “intellectual and new face” in Syangja. With his entry into electoral politics, a new wave has emerged in the district’s political landscape.
Vice President Dhanraj Gurung Recommended From Both Constituencies
Influential party leader and NC Vice President Dhanraj Gurung has been recommended from both Constituency No. 1 and 2. Being one of the top leaders, the district committee appears to have proposed his name from both areas to ensure his victory. This has created curiosity about which constituency he will ultimately choose.
Constituency No. 1: Mix of Veteran Leaders and New Faces
According to the district committee’s official recommendation letter (No. 30/082/083), Constituency No. 1 has a long list of aspirants. Former MP Raju Thapa is considered a strong contender. With heavyweights like Thapa and Gurung in the list, along with newcomer Indra Rijal, the central committee is expected to face challenges in finalizing the ticket.
Recommended Candidates – Constituency No. 1 (FPTP):
- Raju Thapa
- Dhanraj Gurung
- Ajit Adhikari Chhetri
- Mekhlal Shrestha (Former Minister, Gandaki Province)
- Govinda Bahadur Ranabhat
- Prem Raj Paudel
- Buddhi Bahadur Rana (Kumar)
- Khuma Prasad Aryal (Recommended in both constituencies)
- Indra Bahadur Rijal
- Bandana Lamsal
- Bharat Raj Dhakal
Proportional Representation Picks From Constituency No. 1
Only four names have been recommended under the proportional representation (PR) category from Constituency No. 1: Tulsi Giri, Dhankumari Thapa, Narayan Dhakal, and Dilipa Shri Adhikari. This indicates that most leaders are more interested in contesting the direct election.
Constituency No. 2: From Senior Leader Gopalman to Young Aspirants
Similarly, Constituency No. 2 has witnessed interesting internal competition within the party. A total of 12 names have been recommended for the FPTP category. Senior and influential leader Gopalman Shrestha is among the recommended names. Others include Dhanraj Gurung, Bhagwat Prakash Malla, and Mohan Prasad Pandey.
Inclusive PR List From Constituency No. 2
The PR list from Constituency No. 2 appears more inclusive. The recommended names include Bhuma Sharma Pandey, Tulsi Nepali (Dalit woman), Devaki Rana (Janajati), Bimala Shrestha, Lil Bahadur Ranpal (Dalit), and Surya Majhi (Minority community), reflecting the party’s attempt to represent diverse groups.
What Happens Next?
The recommendation letter, signed by the concerned officials of the NC District Committee Syangja, has been sent to the Nepali Congress Central Working Committee in Sanepa. As per the party statute, the central parliamentary committee will discuss these names.
Although Syangja is considered a stronghold of the Nepali Congress, having 11–12 aspirants from a single constituency suggests that internal factional management will be challenging. Whether the party will continue with traditional heavyweights or give an opportunity to new professional faces like Indra Rijal will only be clear once the final ticket distribution is completed.
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