New Delhi, March 7: The counting of votes from the general elections held in Nepal on March 5 is still ongoing. Initial trends indicate a significant shift in the political landscape, with Balendra Shah, also known as Balen Shah, leading over former Prime Minister KP Oli by a substantial margin. Meanwhile, former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, has secured victory from the Rukum East-1 constituency.
Prachanda, a leader of the Nepal Communist Party, received 10,240 votes, winning by a margin of 6,778 votes. In contrast, Balendra Shah has garnered 34,863 votes in Jhapa-5, leading by 25,795 votes, while KP Sharma Oli trails behind with the same number of votes.
The early trends suggest a major political transformation in Nepal. Following violent protests against the previous government in September 2025, which led to the ousting of KP Oli, the country is witnessing elections for the first time since then. The newly formed National Independent Party (RSP), just three years old, is currently outperforming traditional political parties.
On Friday, as votes were being counted, Gagan Thapa, president of the Nepali Congress, found himself significantly behind RSP’s Amresh Kumar Singh in the Siraha-4 constituency.
Prachanda stands out as the only candidate among the old ‘Big Three’ leaders to win from Rukum East-1. According to data released by Nepali media, the RSP is leading with a substantial number of votes across the nation. Finance Minister Rameshor Khanal commented on social media, stating, “Based on the counted votes so far, the claim that this constitution cannot provide a stable government with a majority is once again proven wrong.”
Experts believe that Balendra Shah’s reputation as a corruption-free mayor of Kathmandu has contributed to his popularity. There are several other reasons for the unprecedented trust in the RSP among the populace.
RSP spokesperson Manish Jha stated on the social media platform X, “Our goal is to bring about positive change in the country, and we still have to work hard for that. We should act not as leaders but as helpers. The people have entrusted us with a mandate and responsibility filled with great expectations.”
Jha further emphasized, “Our real enemies are corruption, poverty, and poor governance in the country. Candidates and political parties are merely competitors in the democratic process, and while respecting everyone’s existence, we must remain restrained, generous, and responsible. This is a request to all.”
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment