Over Two Dozen Business Leaders Join Election Fray

More than two dozen business figures—from cooperative operators and manpower entrepreneurs to industrialists and tourism entrepreneurs—have entered the fray for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.

The candidates, who are contesting under various political banners as well as independent candidates, have cited the need for political stability and economic transformation as key reasons for entering politics. However, as of Tuesday’s nomination deadline, most had yet to formally announce their election agendas.

Among the high-profile contenders is Binod Chaudhary, Nepal’s only billionaire listed in Forbes, who is contesting from Nawalparasi West-1 on a Nepali Congress ticket for the second time. Speaking to reporters, Chaudhary said he stood for political change and economic transformation, adding that he understood the message delivered by the “Gen Z movement.” He said employment generation, entrepreneurship and inclusive development would be his priorities.

Another prominent candidate is Sunil Kumar Sharma, a medical entrepreneur and operator of Kathmandu Medical College and Nobel Medical College. Fielded by the Nepali Congress from Morang-3, Sharma—who was elected from the same constituency in the previous election—has also invested in hydropower projects.

DP Aryal, vice-chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is contesting from Kathmandu-9. Aryal, who was elected under the proportional representation system in the last election, has investments in agriculture, travel services, cooperatives, brick factories, remittance companies, education consultancies, security services, trekking companies and hotels.

Former Machhapuchchhre Bank chairman Birendra Kumar Mahato is contesting from Siraha-4, while Birendra Kumar Kanaudia, chairman of Lumbini Sugar Mills, is contesting from Kapilvastu-3 on a CPN-UML ticket after leaving the Nepali Congress.

Tourism entrepreneur and former Nepal Tourism Board CEO Dr Dhananjaya Regmi is contesting from Syangja-1, while Asim Man Singh Basnyat, managing director of ride-hailing company Pathao, has filed an independent candidacy from Kathmandu-1.

Several other business figures have also entered the race, including manpower entrepreneur Tilak Ranabhat (Kaski-1), media entrepreneur Rishi Dhamala (Rautahat-1), share market investor and former lawmaker Hari Dhakal (Chitwan-1), and former bank director Bharat Raj Dhakal (Syangja-1).

Energy producer Bharat Prasad Parajuli (Sindhupalchok-1), tourism entrepreneur and former TAAN president Ramesh Dhamala (Dhading-2), construction entrepreneur Mohan Acharya (Rasuwa), real estate entrepreneur Prem Khatri (Gorkha-1), and tourism entrepreneur Yogesh Gauchan Thakali (Mustang) are also among the contenders.

Other candidates include industrialist Krishna Kumar  Shrestha (Bara-4), manpower entrepreneur Lal Prasad Limbu (Jhapa-4), tourism entrepreneur Bhagirath Sapkota (Nawalpur-1), real estate investor Milan Gurung (Gorkha-2), cooperative operator Rajendra Prasad Pandey (Dhading-1), and Arvind Sah, co-founder of digital payment service Khalti, contesting from Bara-3 on an RSP ticket.