Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Jhapa-2 is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5, with a high-profile face-off between Speaker Devraj Ghimire and Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar of the dissolved House of Representatives.
Ghimire, a senior leader of the CPN-UML, won the constituency under the first-past-the-post system in the 2022 general elections, while Rana Magar entered parliament the same year through the proportional representation system from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). This time, however, both leaders are heading for a direct electoral showdown.
Rana Magar stepped down from her position on December 28.
The UML has already confirmed Ghimire as its candidate from Jhapa-2, while the RSP has decided to field Rana Magar.
Adding another layer to this contest is Advocate Swagat Nepal, who secured more than 25,000 votes as an independent candidate in the 2022 elections. He is returning to the contest as a candidate of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) this time.
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) is fielding former minister Dharmasheela Chapagain in the constituency.
With high-profile candidates in the fray, Jhapa is certain to draw national attention when the election race heats up.
