Pokhara, 13 February | As the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 approaches, the political climate in Myagdi has transformed into a compelling saga with the entry of Magsaysay Award winner Mahabir Pun. Pun, who recently resigned from his post as the Minister for Education, Science, and Technology, has returned to his home district to contest the election as an independent candidate. Filing his nomination on January 20 with the ‘Triangle’ as his electoral symbol, Pun has successfully diverted national attention toward Myagdi. His campaign, focused on innovation, digital literacy, and dissatisfaction with traditional politics, has resonated particularly well with the youth and undecided voters in the rural heartlands of the district.
In a district where the CPN (UML) and the Nepali Congress have historically held dominant sway, Pun faces a formidable challenge from established candidates like Harikrishna Shrestha of the CPN (UML), Karna Bahadur Bhandari of the Nepali Congress, and Arjun Bahadur Thapa of the NCP. Despite lacking the robust organizational structure of these traditional parties, Pun has managed to cover all local units within three weeks, utilizing his reputation as the founder of the National Innovation Centre to build trust. His strategy revolves around converting the growing public frustration with old leadership into votes, a phenomenon strengthened by the recent ‘Gen-Z’ social movements. While party loyalists remain skeptical of an independent victory, local observers note that the traditional vote banks of the major parties are under significant threat of fragmentation.
The electoral battleground in Myagdi, the sole constituency of the district, involves 12 candidates vying for the support of 86,397 registered voters. The Election Commission has established 82 polling stations and 120 polling centers to facilitate the voting process on March 5. Political analysts suggest that while Pun’s individual charisma and global recognition provide a strong push, the deeply entrenched party roots in rural areas will be hard to displace. The upcoming week is considered crucial for candidates to finalize their strategies and consolidate their base. Whether the voters of Myagdi choose the established political paths or opt for a transformative shift represented by Mahabir Pun remains the most anticipated question of this election cycle.
