Jhapa becomes Nepal’s key battleground as former mayor Balen challenges ex-PM Oli

Weeks before Nepal’s March 5 general election, Jhapa-5 in eastern Nepal has become the centre of national political attention , with former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen , directly challenging former prime minister K P Sharma Oli in a high-profile contest.

On Sunday, Balen, a popular rapper-turned-politician and the prime ministerial face of the Rastriya Swotantra Party, began an intensive door-to-door campaign across Jhapa-5 in Koshi province . Oli, the chair of the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist–Leninist, had reached the constituency two days earlier to launch his own outreach drive. Oli has won parliamentary elections from Jhapa district six times out of seven , making the seat his traditional stronghold.

However, this time the race is expected to be much closer. Analysts say voter anger following last year’s protests could hurt Oli’s chances. “The contest will be tougher for Oli after the Gen Z movement forced him to resign,” said senior rights activist Charan Prasai, who closely follows Nepalese politics.

The March 5 election was called after Oli stepped down on September 9 following violent youth-led protests against corruption and restrictions on social media. The unrest left dozens dead, thousands injured, and caused major damage to public property. Former chief justice Sushila Karki became interim prime minister on September 12 and dissolved parliament , recommending early elections to restore political stability.

Balen’s choice to contest from Jhapa-5, instead of a safer urban seat, is seen as a bold political move. This is his second visit to Jhapa in two weeks , underlining how seriously he is taking the challenge. On Sunday alone, he visited more than a dozen places, meeting voters and mobilising young supporters.

With campaigning intensifying, security has been tightened across Jhapa district , with additional police and paramilitary forces deployed to prevent any repeat of last year’s violence. Although candidates from several parties are in the fray, including Mandhara Paudel of the Nepali Congress, Ranjit Tamang of the Nepali Communist Party and Laxmi Sangraula of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, the contest is widely seen as a direct battle between Oli and Balen.

The result in Jhapa is expected to offer a clear signal of shifting public mood, especially among young voters, and could play a key role in shaping Nepal’s political direction after months of turmoil.