Gulmi–1 Constituency Overview: Ongoing Political Challenges and Decline

Gulmi-1 Election Popular Candidates Contesting:

Pradeep Gyawali (CPN–UML) vs Sagar Dhakal (RSP) vs Dr. Chandra Kant Bhandari (Nepali Congress)

Total Registered Voters: 1,77,363

I. Candidate Number: 1                                                    

Pradeep Kumar Gyawali

Basic Information

• Date of Birth: 13 September 1962 (13/09/1962)
  
• Place of Birth: Baletaxar-2, Chautara, Gulmi District, Nepal
  
• Education: Not mentioned
  

Political Background

• Political Party: CPN (Unified Marxist–Leninist)
  
• Entry into Politics: Free Student Union (FSU)
  
• Years in Active Politics: 40+ years
  

Election History

Year	Election Type	Constitueny	Party	Result
1999	House of Representatives	Gulmi-2	CPN-UML	Won
2008	Constituent Assembly	Gulmi-2	CPN-UML	Won
2013	Constituent Assembly	Gulmi-2	CPN-UML	Lost
2017	House of Representatives	Gulmi-1	CPN-UML	Won
2022	House of Representatives	Gulmi-1	CPN-UML	Lost

Government Positions Held

Position	Term	Prime Minister
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation	2006–2007	Girija Prasad Koirala
Minister of Foreign Affairs	2018–2021	KP Sharma Oli

Results from Last Election (2022)

• Constituency: Gulmi-1
  
• Result: Lost to Chandra Kant Bhandari (Nepali Congress) by approximately 1,500 votes
  
• Votes Received:
  
  • Bhandari: ~33,744
    
  • Gyawali: ~32,152
    

Reasons for Loss

1. Strong opponent
   
2. Vote split due to multiple parties and alliances
   
3. Shifting voter expectations toward visible and tangible development outcomes
   

Manifesto

• Not formally printed or published
  

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

1. Experienced Leader
   Over four decades in politics with prior ministerial experience.
   
2. Intellectual and Clean Image
   Known for honesty and lack of major political scandals.
   
3. Strong Speaker and Writer
   Respected for clear articulation and debate skills.
   

Limitations

1. Limited Focus on Local Development
   Some voters feel local issues were not addressed adequately.
   
2. Old-Style Politics
   Perceived as traditional, especially among younger voters.
   
3. Weak Grassroots Presence in Recent Years
   Less visible at the village level compared to rivals.
   

II. Candidate Number: 2

Sagar Dhakal

Basic Information

• Date of Birth: 5 January 1990
  
• Place of Birth: Pipalbot, Gulmi, Nepal
  

Education:

1. Mechanical Engineering (Water and Energy)
   
   • Grade: 3.93/4
     
   • National Entrance Rank: 5 out of 12,000 students
     
2. University of Oxford
   
   • Master’s in Water Science, Policy and Management (Fully funded)
     

Political Background

• Political Party: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)
  
• Joined Party: 4 January 2026
  

Key Points:

1. Ran as an independent candidate from Dadeldhura against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
   
2. Though not directly involved in formal politics earlier, he gained national attention after questioning then Prime Minister Deuba on the program Sajha Sawal.
   
3. Recently joined RSP for this election.
   

Results from Last Election

• Constituency: Dadeldhura
  
• Result: Lost to Sher Bahadur Deuba
  
  • Deuba: 25,534
    
  • Dhakal: 13,042
    

Reasons for Loss

1. Strong Opponent
   Deuba has represented Dadeldhura since 1991 and holds deep influence, especially among older voters.
   
2. New Face in Politics
   Limited political experience led to trust issues among voters.
   
3. “Foreign Agent” Misconception
   Due to his education and work abroad, some voters questioned his national commitment.
   

Manifesto

1. Replace Old Politics with Honest Leadership
   Focus on clean, accountable, and people-centric governance.
   
2. Youth in Decision-Making
   Advocates active youth leadership beyond voting.
   
3. Accountable Government
   
   • Proper use of public funds
     
   • Leaders answerable to citizens
     
   • Freedom to question leaders without fear
     

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

1. Highly educated and motivated youth leader.
   
2. New political face appealing to Gen Z voters frustrated with traditional leaders.
   
3. Clear communication without slogans or emotional populism.
   

Limitations

1. Faces strong opponents with decades-long political presence.
   
2. Continues to face the “foreign agent” narrative.
   
3. Difficult to sway loyal UML and Nepali Congress voters of 30–40 years.
   

III. Candidate Number: 3

Dr. Chandra Kant Bhandari

 Basic Information

• Date of Birth: 14 April 1961
  
• Place of Birth: Hunga-7, Gulmi, Nepal
  

Education:

1. Master’s degree in Sociology and Management
   
2. PhD in Sociology from Tribhuvan University
   

Political Background

• Political Party: Nepali Congress
  
• Entry into Politics: 1976
  

Key Involvement:

1. Active member of the Nepali Congress Free Student Union.
   
2. Participated in pro-democracy movements against the Panchayat system.
   
3. Spent over five years in imprisonment due to activism against autocratic rule.
   

Election History

Year	Election	Constituency	Party	Result
1999	House of Representatives	Gulmi-2	Nepali Congress	Lost
2008	Constituent Assembly	Gulmi-2	Nepali Congress	Lost
2013	Constituent Assembly	Gulmi-2	Nepali Congress	Won
2017	House of Representatives	Gulmi-1	Nepali Congress	Lost
2022	House of Representatives	Gulmi-1	Nepali Congress	Won

Result from Last Election (2022)

• Won against: Pradeep Kumar Gyawali (CPN-UML)
  
  • Bhandari: 33,744
    
  • Gyawali: 32,152
    

Manifesto

1. Vision to make Gulmi a model district for development.
   
2. Focus on fertilizer shortages, irrigation issues, market access, and farmer support.
   
3. Criticism of weak strategy and leadership within ruling structures.
   

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

1. Experienced Leader
   Long history of student activism and national politics.
   
2. Strong Local Base
   Repeated contests and wins have built deep grassroots networks.
   
3. Consistent Policy Advocate
   Vocal on governance reforms and farmers’ rights.
   

Limitations

1. Repeated Losses in Earlier Elections
   Indicates fluctuating voter support over time.
   
2. Internal Party Competition
   Leadership contests within Nepali Congress affect positioning.
   
3. Perceived Focus on Party Politics
   Critics argue greater emphasis on grassroots development is needed.