2022 Janakpur municipal election

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2022 Janakpur municipal elections
Flag of Nepal.svg
 201713 May 2022 [1] 2027 

127 seats to Janakpur Sub Metropolitan City Council
64 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond partyThird party
  Nepalese election symbol clock tower.jpg Nepalese Election Symbol Tree.svg Nepal Communist Party symbol.svg
CandidateManoj Kumar Sah SudiShiva Shankar Sah
PartyDissident Nepali Congress [2] Nepali Congress CPN (UML)
Seats won76936
Popular vote13,4659,532
Percentage30.1%21.3%

 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
  Nepalese Election Symbol Bicycle.svg Nepalese Election Symbol Umbrella.svg Nepalese Election Symbol Kalash.svg
CandidateManoj ChaudharyLal Kishor SahBibha Kumari Thakur
Party Loktantrik Samajwadi PSP-Nepal Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (2021)
Seats won1031
Popular vote5,3605,1941,141
Percentage12.0%11.6%2.5%

Mayor before election

Lal Kishor Sah
PSP-Nepal

Elected mayor

Manoj Sah Sudi
Dessident Nepali Congress

Municipal election for Janakpur took place on 13 May 2022, with all 127 positions up for election across 25 wards. [3] [4] The electorate elected a mayor, a deputy mayor, 25 ward chairs and 100 ward members. An indirect election will also be held to elect five female members and an additional three female members from the Dalit and minority community to the municipal executive. [5] [6]

Contents

Nepali Congress Janakpur committee president Manoj Kumar Sah who had resigned from the Nepali Congress for short period to file his candidacy defeated the incumbent Lal Kishor Sah from the People's Socialist Party to become mayor. [7] Nepali Congress gained control of the municipal council from Loktantrik Samajwadi Party. [8] He later joined back Congress party on 25 May 2022. [9]

Background

Janakpur was established as a municipality in 1962. The sub-metropolitan city was created in 2014 by incorporating neighboring village development committees into Janakpur municipality. [10] Electors in each ward elect a ward chair and four ward members, out of which two must be female and one of the two must belong to the Dalit community. [11]

In the previous election, Lal Kishore Sah from Rastriya Janata Party Nepal was elected as the first mayor of the sub-metropolitan city after the reinstatement of local levels in Nepal. [12]

Candidate

Manoj Sah

(Ghantaghar symbol)

Being the party of home constituency of former Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, Nepali Congress stands as strongest party since the splits in Madhesh based parties. The party municipal committee chairman, Manoj Sah has declared to run as independent Mayor candidate with silent support of top level leaders following the disagreement with central decision to forge alliance. [13]

Sah along with municipal committee secretary Lalbabu Mishra, treasurer Birendra Yadav and whole municipal committee resigned against the decision of party chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba to support other party candidate. So a sympathetic vote is expected to swing on Sah as well. He on 22 April 2022, declared that they resigned in coordination and approval of the 25 ward committees of party. He also declared that it was a temporary halt to party politics and he would return to the party after winning the elections. [14] [13] Previously, Brikhesh Chandra Lal, Rajdev Mishra and Bajrang Sah have won as independent candidate of mayor post in Janakpur and returned to Nepali Congress party after winning the elections.

In addition to Nepali Congress caders and voters, CPN (Unified Socialist) stood in support of Manoj Sah. Top leader of party Ram Chandra Jha, asked voters to make arrogant and corrupt candidate loose the election.

Balram Mahato

(Mango symbol)

Mahato, a proprietor of Raman Construction is an independent candidate and has received mango election symbol. Mahato is seen the second strongest candidate after Manohj Sah for mayoral post.

Lal Kishor Sah

(Umbrella symbol)

The People's Socialist Party holds the former mayor Lal Kishor Shah as their mayoral candidate. Currently, Sah is highly unpopular due to various allegations of corruption, the Janaki temple issue, waste management, and an accident with a government jeep worth 2 crore.

Manoj Chaudhary

(Cycle symbol)

The Loktantrik Samajbadi Party is about to run Manoj Chaudhary who had given candidacy in from Ramasapa in 2013 Constituent Assembly election from Dhanusha 4 and had lost receiving some 500 votes only.

Janki Ram Sah

(Lantern symbol)

Janki Raman Sah was expected to run as mayoral candidate from CPN (UML). in the eve of election, he didn't receive ticket and is now a rebel candidate from CPN (UML). He is immediate past chairperson of Janakpur 7.

Shiv Shankar Sah "Hira"

(Sun symbol)

Sah is mayoral candidate from CPN (UML). He is a businessman.

Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party

(Kalas symbol)

Similarly, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party led by former mayor Brikhesh Chandra Lal is also contesting the election. The party has fielded former Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal cader Bibha Thakur as mayor candidate. [15]

Mayor and deputy mayor candidates

PartyMayor candidateDeputy mayor candidate
People's Socialist Party, Nepal Lal Kishore Sah
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal Manoj ChaudharyRita Kumari Mishra
Nepali Congress Kishori Sah
CPN (Unified Marxist–Leninist) Shiva Shankar SahRuna Devi Jha
Rastriya Prajatantra Party Kisa GiriJitendra Kumar Sah Haluwai
Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party Bibha KumariIshwar Pandit Kumar
Janamat Party Anita Devi SahSantosh Kumar Sah
Dissident Nepali Congress Manoj Kumar Sah Sudi [16] [17]
Dissident CPN (Unified Marxist–Leninist) Janaki Ram SahUmesh Chaudhary
Independent Balram Mahato

Opinion Poll

Mayoral post

DateNews agencySample sizeManoj SahBalram MahatoManoj ChaudharyLalkishor SahJanki Ram SahShiv Shankar SahAnita Devi SahUndecidedResult
10 May 2022Setopati [18] 13244427655217Hung
33..33%31.81%5.3%4.54%3.78%3.78%1.51%12.87%

From the summary of result, it was found that Manoj Sah and Balram Mahato had a close contest while both being independent candidate. No match was found between independent candidates duo and other party candidates. People said it was common as no party candidate had won mayor in Janakpur since 2046 and 2074 election was the only exception. Previously, Brikhesh Chandra Lal, Bajrang Sah and Rajdev Mishra have won as independent candidate and later joined back Nepali Congress.

The common voice of citizen was that both Madhesbadi leaders Lal Kishor Sah and Rajendra Mahato did nothing for the city. Majority of voters were guilty for voting them. People yelled that Manoj Sah who was the first runner up of previous election while he had regularly visited them since a long and raised their voice to leadership. they added that they would vote for him in Ghantaghar symbol. In spite of alliance, the support base of incumbent mayor Lalkishor Sah was seen to have largely diminished while people were largely unhappy with madheshi parties which were divided into People's Socialist Party, Nepal, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal, Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party and Janamat Party. Even CPN (UML) voters were divided into rebel candidate Janaki Ram Sah and Shiv Shankar Sah "Hira".

To sum up, a majority of voters south and east of Janaki temple were seen to be close to Manoj Sah while a majority of voters north and west of temple were seen to be close to Balram Mahato. [18]

Ward wise

DatePollsterPartyWard chairmanIncrease/Decrease
10 May 2022Setopati [19] Congress 13-15Increase2.svg
PSP-N 3-4Decrease2.svg
LSP-N 3-5Decrease2.svg
UML 1-3Decrease2.svg
TMLP 0-2Increase2.svg
CPN (US) 0-1Increase2.svg
Ind 0-1Increase2.svg
Total25

Exit polls

DatePollsterSudiL SahMahtoS SahOthersLead
Ind

(Congress)

PSPN Ind UML
13 May 2022Facts Nepal [20] 47.4%23.8%22.2%5.9%0.7%23.6%

Mayoral results

Mayoral elections result
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Manoj Kumar Sah Sudi 13,465 30.1% +5.7%
CPN (UML) Shiva Shankar Sah9,53221.3%+10.7%
Loktantrik Samajwadi Manoj Chaudhary5,36012.0%New
PSP-Nepal Lal Kishore Sah5,19411.6%−36.2%
Independent Balram Mahato4,2909.6%New
Independent Janaki Ram Sah2,0724.6%New
Janamat Anita Devi1,4373.2%New
Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (2021) Bibha Kumari1,1412.5%New
Others2,2965.1%
Total votes44,787 100.0%
Independent gain from PSP-Nepal Swing +21.0%
Deputy mayoral elections result
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Congress Kishori Sah 15,525 36.9% +13.4%
CPN (UML) Runa Devi Jha10,88525.9%+14.9%
Loktantrik Samajwadi Rita Kumari Mishra5,81713.8%−24.2%
Independent Nirmal Kumar Chaudhary3,7729.0%New
Janamat Santosh Kumar Sah1,7254.1%New
Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (2021) Ishwar Pandit Kumhar1,1182.7%New
Others3,1867.6%
Total votes42,028 100.0%
Congress gain from Loktantrik Samajwadi Swing +18.8%

Ward results

PartyChairmanMembers
Nepali Congress 1157
Communist Party of Nepal (UML) 729
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal 28
People's Socialist Party, Nepal 12
CPN(Maoist Centre) 10
Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party 10
Independent24
Total25100

Ward wise electoral details

Results for ward chair by party
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Nepali Congress
CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist)
CPN (Maoist Centre)
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal
People's Socialist Party, Nepal
Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party
Independent Janakpur 2022LocalElection Ward.svg
Results for ward chair by party
  Nepali Congress
  CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist)
  CPN (Maoist Centre)
  Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal
  People's Socialist Party, Nepal
  Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party
  Independent
No.Ward No.Ward ChairmanPolitical Party
1.Ward No. 1Debu Yadav Nepali Congress
2.Ward No. 2Shiv Kumar Sah Nepali Congress
3.Ward No. 3Dipendra Kumar Sah Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party
4.Ward No. 4Suresh Jha Nepali Congress
5.Ward No. 5Bechan Sahu Haluwai CPN (UML)
6.Ward No. 6Dinesh Prasad Sah Nepali Congress
7.Ward No. 7Niraj Kumar Sah Nepali Congress
8.Ward No. 8Dinesh Kumar Singh CPN (UML)
9.Ward No. 9Parmeshwar Sah Nepali Congress
10.Ward No. 10Mithlesh Kumar Karn Independent
11.Ward No. 11Arjun Kumar Chaudhary Nepali Congress
12.Ward No. 12Mahendra Sah Teli CPN (UML)
13.Ward No. 13Jit Bahadur Raut Nepali Congress
14.Ward No. 14Punya Pratap Yadav PSP-N
15.Ward No. 15Santosh Kumar Sah LSP-N
16.Ward No. 16Ram Chandra Panjiyar Nepali Congress
17.Ward No. 17Ram Brikch Yadav CPN(MC)
18.Ward No. 18Laxmeshwar Mandal Kewat CPN (UML)
19.Ward No. 19Binod Kumar Sah CPN (UML)
20.Ward No. 20Moti Rain Kawari CPN (UML)
21.Ward No. 21Raj Narayan Sah Nepali Congress
22.Ward No. 22Bimlesh Mishra LSP-N
23.Ward No. 23Raghbendra Prasad SahIndependent
24.Ward No. 24Upendra Sahni CPN (UML)
25.Ward No. 25Chandeshwar Sah Nepali Congress

Summary of results by ward

Position12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
Ward Chairman
Ward Member 1
Ward Member 2
Female Member
Female Dalit Member
Source: Election Commission

Council formation

PartyMayorDeputy MayorWard ChairmanWard MembersTotal seatsRemarks
Nepali Congress 1115769Majority
Dessident Nepali Congress 1247
Communist Party of Nepal (UML) 72936
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal 2810
People's Socialist Party, Nepal 123
CPN(Maoist Centre) 101
Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party 101
Total112510012764 for Majority

Out of total 127 seats in municipal corporation, Nepali Congress won majority of 69. Later a group of dessidents joined back Nepali Congress increasing the tally to 76 which remains 60% majority. Loktantrik Samajwadi Party which had obtained majority in previous election could manage to win just 10 seats though led by Rajendra Mahato due to corruption, not fulfilling promises, etc. As a result, it was almost cleanswept from the region. The CPN (UML) emerged as chief opposition winning just half seats as much as Nepali Congress.

Incidents

Buying votes

Mushlim commission chief Samim Miya Ansari was reported to have been caught with money bag with 5 crores from Hotel Sitasaran, Janakpurdham. Ansari was appointed by KP Oli led government. It was reported that Ansari was buying votes for CPN (UML) rebellion candidate Janki Ram Sah after which public reported the incident to police. [21] As a result, he along with party municipal committee chairman of CPN (UML), Surendra Bhandari was arrested red hand from the location. [22] [23] Previously, former minister and CPN (UML) leader Julie Kumari Mahato was caught conducting election program in Janakpur in zero hour. Now, it's thought to create huge loss to party in the region as the party got decided into two factions after the incident. [23]

Later, chairman of Muslim Commission, Ansari confessed conducting a press conference that he had dispute with Ansari the previous night and Raghubir Mahasheth wanted him to act like a slave. After this incident, he sent a team of people led by CPN (UML) municipal committee chairman Surendra Bhandari to abuse Muslim Commission chairman Samim Miya Ansari. [24] Ansari gave statement against Mahasheth couple and asked government and KP Sharma Oli to take strict action against them else he would break his silence. [25]

Later, a resident of Madhesh Province Manish Rauniyar asked the authorities to keep sight on masjids tonight.

See also

References

  1. "Local election on May 13". February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  2. "जनकपुरको मेयर जितेका स्वतन्त्र उम्मेदवार साहले भने : म कांग्रेस नै हुँ".
  3. Article 215(6) of the Constitution of Nepal  (September 20, 2015)
  4. "Government announces local level elections for May 13". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  5. Article 216(4) of the Constitution of Nepal  (September 20, 2015)
  6. यसरी चुनिँदै छन् स्थानीय प्रतिनिधि, कार्यपालिकाभन्दा व्यवस्थापिका ठूलो. Setopati. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  7. Setopati, Setopati. "Rebel NC candidate Manoj Sah elected Janakpurdham mayor". Setopati. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  8. "देउवालाई जसपा नेताको प्रश्न : गठबन्धनबाटै प्रधानमन्त्री हुने, हामीलाई धोका दिने?". nepalkhabar (in Nepali). Retrieved 2022-05-24.
  9. "जनकपुरको मेयर जितेका स्वतन्त्र उम्मेदवार साहले भने : म कांग्रेस नै हुँ". Online Khabar. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  10. Magazine, New Spolight. "Nepal government declares 61 new municipalities". SpotlightNepal. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  11. Article 223(2) of the Constitution of Nepal  (September 20, 2015)
  12. "RJPN's Raj Kishor Sah elected mayor of Janakpur Sub-Metro". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  13. 1 2 "कांग्रेस जनकपुर नगर सभापति साहले दिए राजीनामा". ekantipur.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  14. "जसपाले मेयर पाउने भएपछि जनकपुरका कांग्रेस सभापतिले दिए राजीनामा". Nepal Live. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  15. "ejanakpurtoday.com | No.1 News Portal of Province-2". ejanakpurtoday.com/. 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
  16. Chairman of party municipal committee; gave independent candidancy due to disagreement with central decision to form alliance
  17. First runner up of previous election
  18. 1 2 Setopati, रोहित महतो. "जनकपुरमा दुई स्वतन्त्र उम्मेदवारबीच टक्कर, दलका उम्मेदवार धेरै पछि". Setopati. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  19. Setopati, सेतोपाटी टिम. "काठमाडौंको भित्री नेवार बस्तीमा केशव स्थापित, सिर्जना सिंह र बालेन शाहमध्ये को बलियो?". Setopati. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  20. "जनकपुर उप-महानगरपालिका". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  21. "मुस्लिम आयोगका अध्यक्ष मियाँ पैसा बाँडेको आरोपमा जनकपुरबाट पक्राउ". रिपोर्टर्स नेपाल. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  22. "चुनावमा पैसा बाँडेको आरोपमा मुस्लिम आयोगका अध्यक्ष अन्सारी पक्राउ". Nepal Live. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  23. 1 2 "पैसा बाँडेको आरोपमा एमाले जनकपुर अध्यक्ष सुरेन्द्र भण्डारी पक्राउ". ekantipur.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  24. रातोपाटी. "होटल हिमालयमा १० हजार तिर्न नसकेर सलिम मियाँ अन्सारीले गरे आफ्नै कार्यालयमा पत्रकार सम्मेलन". RatoPati (in Nepali). Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  25. "महासेठलाई कारबाही गर्न सरकार र ओलीसँग मुस्लिम आयोग अध्यक्षको माग". ekantipur.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 2022-05-12.