Pokhara, 7 March| Anand Bahadur Chand, a candidate representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has been elected as a Member of the House of Representatives from Kailali Constituency No. 5. In a landslide victory that has reshaped the political map of a region traditionally considered a stronghold for the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, Chand defeated his closest rival, Nar Narayan Shah of the Nepali Congress, by a staggering margin of nearly 20,000 votes. According to the final election results, Chand secured 31,953 votes, while Shah managed to garner only 11,958 votes. Meanwhile, Prem Bahadur Ale, representing the Nepali Communist Party in the same constituency, finished in third place with 7,876 votes. This decisive mandate reflects a profound shift in voter sentiment in Kailali, signaling a clear preference for professional expertise and academic integrity over traditional partisan politics.
Anand Bahadur Chand is widely recognized as one of the most intellectual figures within the Rastriya Swatantra Party, bringing an extensive background in science, education, and public health to the political arena. He is a prominent campaigner against tobacco products and non-communicable diseases in Nepal, having spent years advocating for policy reforms to reduce tobacco consumption. Professionally, he served as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Tribhuvan University for over 17 years, specifically at Patan Multiple Campus. His academic credentials are equally impressive, featuring a PhD conducted through a collaboration between Tribhuvan University and North Carolina A&T State University in the United States. Furthermore, Chand has represented Nepal at major international conferences in countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, and Mexico, with his research being published in esteemed international journals.
Beyond his academic and advocacy work, Chand has a proven track record in public administration and policy advisory. He previously served as the Chairperson of the Nepal Food Corporation and as the Executive Director of the B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium Observatory and Science Museum Development Board. Notably, he also assisted the Kathmandu Metropolitan City during Mayor Balen Shah’s tenure in formulating essential policies related to education, environment, and health. Throughout his campaign, he focused on local developmental issues such as the Seti Provincial Hospital, the Fapla Cricket Ground, and the Geta Medical College. Upon his victory, Chand stated that this win is not just a time for celebration but a serious responsibility rooted in the sacrifices and dedication of the “Gen-Z” movement. He emphasized that the people’s desire for change and a brighter future has placed a significant duty on his shoulders to deliver tangible results in health and education sectors.
