MORANG:- With the House of Representatives election drawing closer, electoral activity has intensified in Morang–6, where the main contest is expected to centre between long-time rivals — the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.

A total of 17 candidates, 14 from political parties and three independents, are in the fray.

However, the principal battle is widely seen as being between incumbent lawmaker and senior Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala and UML candidate Binod Prasad Dhakal.

Morang, particularly Biratnagar, is regarded as a stronghold of the NC, with political roots linked to leaders such as BP Koirala and Girija Prasad Koirala. In this context, Dr. Koirala faces not only the task of retaining the seat for the party but also of upholding the political legacy of the Koirala family.

Historically, Morang–6 has not been considered a difficult constituency for the Congress. However, following the Gen Z movement there is visible disenchantment with traditional parties.

It is widely believed that votes previously secured by the NC and the UML may shift towards newer political forces. Despite this, leaders of the established parties claim their organisations have regained strength.

NC Morang–6 area president Devraj Tamang said there was no internal dispute over the party’s candidate, as a single name had been unanimously recommended.

“With no disagreement over the candidacy, there is no internal division. Leaders and cadres at all levels have already engaged in the campaign,” he said.

According to Tamang, the NC is reaching out to voters with agendas focused on law-making rather than infrastructure alone, good governance, strengthening local governments, constitutional amendment to address the demands of younger generations, and empowering provincial governments. He maintained that the main competition would be with the UML.

Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi, an NC leader from Morang–6 and former National Assembly member, said Dr. Koirala is not only the party’s candidate but also a figure closely linked to the party’s political heritage, adding that all party members are committed to ensuring his victory.

UML candidate Binod Prasad Dhakal also said the principal contest would be between the UML and the NC. “We are close to victory. We are currently meeting with party cadres,” he said, citing the party’s strong organisational base, past achievements and future plans for development and legislation as key campaign issues.

Dhakal informed that he would make his election manifesto public on 16 February.

From the newly emerged Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), 31-year-old Rubina Acharya is contesting the seat.

Her campaign coordinator Pradeep Upreti claimed they have received commitments from many voters who intend to vote for the RSP without changing their party affiliation.

“This is the basis of our confidence,” he said, asserting that Dr. Koirala is the RSP’s main rival. According to the party, voters are dissatisfied with traditional parties due to corruption, weak governance and lack of development.

Nepali Communist Party (NCP) candidate Upendra Kumar Rai said he is contesting as a representative of workers, noting that the constituency has a large industrial labour population.  He claimed support from Madhesi, indigenous, Muslim and marginalised communities, adding that public attraction towards his party is growing.

Similarly, Ujyaalo Nepal Party candidate, 25-year-old Basanta Budhathoki, said he is seeking votes with an agenda focused on creating local employment and expressed confidence in his party’s victory.

Morang–6 comprises 20 wards, seven of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, all seven wards of Budhiganga Rural Municipality and six wards of Sundarharaicha Municipality.

In the 2022 local elections, the NC won four wards in the metropolis, five in Budhiganga and three in Sundarharaicha.

The UML secured two wards in the metropolis, one in Budhiganga and two in Sundarharaicha. The then CPN (Maoist Centre) won one ward in Budhiganga, while the Janata Samajwadi Party won one ward in the metropolis.

Based on votes received by elected ward chairs, the NC had garnered 28,018 votes, while the UML received 23,223 votes. The then Maoist Centre, now the NCP, obtained 4,467 votes and the JSP secured 3,442 votes.

In the 2022 HoR election, when the NC and the CPN (MC) contested as allies, NC candidate Dr. Koirala won with 35,224 votes.

In that election, the NC received 23,710 proportional representation votes, while UML candidate Lal Babu Pandit secured 22,946 votes to become the runner-up.

Even with parties contesting independently this time, analysts suggest that despite the NC losing around 7,000 votes previously contributed by the Maoists, and newer parties drawing votes at a similar rate, Dr. Koirala remains in a favourable position.

Morang–6 has a total of 137,832 voters. Voting will take place at 39 polling stations with 149 polling centres.