Celebrities in PR list of political parties

KATHMANDU: Political parties have submitted their closed lists of proportional representation (PR) candidates for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.

The lists also include figures from the entertainment industry as well.

Most celebrities appear to be entering politics through parties described as alternative political forces. The lists feature a wide range of public figures, from former Miss Nepal winners to singers, models, actors and actresses, and television presenters.

Their election to the House of Representatives will depend on the PR votes accumulated by their respective parties.

Komal Oli
The CPN-UML has included singer Komal Oli in its 110-member closed list. Oli, a folk singer and former newsreader, is third in the women’s cluster on the UML list.

Oli earlier served as a member of the National Assembly from the UML. Previously associated with the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), she has repeatedly received political opportunities since joining the UML. She contested the 2022 election from the Dang-3 seat as a UML candidate, but was defeated.

Dr Trishala Gurung
Singer Trishala Gurung has been listed as a PR candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). She has been recommended under the Indigenous Nationalities cluster. A doctor by profession, Gurung was initially associated with the Ujyalo Nepal Party. Her name was included in the 110-member list following the unification of the Ujyaalo Nepal Party and the RSP.

Rima Bishwakarma
Television presenter, model, and actress Rima Bishwakarma has also been included in the RSP’s PR candidate list. The party has placed her first in the Dalit women’s cluster. Bishwakarma was a Central Committee member of the newly-formed Ujyalo Nepal Party. Her name was added to the list after the party’s merger with the RSP.

Asif Shah
Actor and singer Ashif Shah has also been included in the RSP’s PR list. The party has ranked him first in the Muslim men’s cluster. A television presenter as well, Shah has acted in films such as ‘2 Rupaiya’ and ‘Jante Bakhro’, among others. He is the brother of Asim Shah, who was elected to the House of Representatives from the RSP through the PR system.

Prakash Saput
Singer, music composer, and artist Prakash Saput is also entering politics. His name is on the closed list of PR candidates submitted by the RSP. He has been placed second in the Dalit men’s cluster. Saput is known for popular songs such as ‘Bol Maya’, ‘Galbandi’, and Sakambari, etc. He has acted in films including ‘Haribahadurko Jutta’, ‘Pardeshi 2’, ‘Maitighar’, ‘Basanta’, and ‘Mirmire’. Basanta marked his directorial debut.

Satyakala Rai
Singer Satyakala Rai has also been included in the RSP’s proportional candidate list under the Indigenous Nationalities cluster. Rai, who is the wife of film producer Nawal Khadka, is also a producer of the film ‘Kandetar’.

Anushka Shrestha
Miss Nepal 2019 Anushka Shrestha is also entering politics. She has been included in the closed list of PR candidates by the RSP. She has been placed fourth in the Indigenous women’s cluster.

Rupak Bishwakarma Ghimire
The RSP has placed Rupak Bishwakarma Ghimire first in the Indigenous men’s cluster. A medical doctor by profession, Bishwakarma is also a model and artist. He was crowned Mister Nepal in 2011 and has acted in the film ‘Chocolate’.