By Dipesh Ghimire
Business Heavyweights Step Into the Political Arena, Signaling a Shift in Nepal’s Electoral Landscape
Kathmandu — The House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21 has revealed a notable shift in Nepal’s political landscape: a surge of candidates from business and entrepreneurial backgrounds competing directly for parliamentary seats. From large-scale industrialists and bankers to stock market investors and startup founders, business figures are entering the electoral race in numbers rarely seen before.
Election data show that more than two dozen candidates with strong business credentials have filed nominations for direct seats. This trend cuts across party lines and includes both veteran entrepreneurs and first-time political aspirants, indicating a broader realignment between Nepal’s private sector and formal politics.
High-Profile Industrialists in the Race
Among the most prominent contenders is Binod Chaudhary, Nepal’s first billionaire, who is contesting from Nawalparasi West–1 under the banner of the Nepali Congress. This marks his second electoral attempt. Chaudhary’s entry has drawn attention not merely because of his wealth, but because it symbolizes the growing confidence of big business in electoral politics as a platform for influence.
Similarly, industrialist Anil Kumar Rungta is contesting from Parsa–4 on a Nepali Congress ticket, while Tilak Ranabhat, operator of Nur Overseas Manpower, is seeking election from Kaski–1, also representing the Congress.
Entrepreneurs, Bankers, and New-Economy Players
The trend is not limited to traditional industry. Asimman Singh Basnyat, managing director of ride-hailing company Pathao Nepal, has entered the race as an independent candidate from Kathmandu–1, signaling the arrival of new-economy entrepreneurs into electoral competition.
From the banking sector, Bharat Raj Dhakal, former chief executive officer and former board chair of Muktinath Development Bank, is contesting from Syangja–1 under the Nepali Congress banner. His candidacy reflects a growing interest among financial-sector professionals in shaping national policy directly.
In healthcare, Sunil Kumar Sharma, operator of Kathmandu Medical College and Nobel Medical College, is contesting from Morang–3. Having won the seat in the previous election, Sharma represents a category of business-backed politicians seeking to consolidate their influence through re-election, while also expanding investments into sectors such as hydropower.
Cross-Party Presence and Independent Voices
The influx of business figures is visible across the political spectrum. Media entrepreneur Rishi Raj Dhamala is contesting from Rautahat–1 representing the Aam Janata Party.
Vice-chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, DP Aryal, is seeking election from Kathmandu–9. Aryal’s business portfolio spans agriculture, cooperatives, remittance services, travel and trekking, security services, education consultancy, and hospitality. He previously entered Parliament through the proportional representation system.
Young stock market investor Hari Dhakal, already an elected lawmaker, is contesting again from Chitwan–1, reinforcing the presence of capital-market actors in parliamentary politics.
Other candidates with business or entrepreneurial backgrounds include Mohan Acharya (Rasuwa), Ramesh Prasad Dhamala (Dhading–2), Birendra Prasad Kanaudia (Kapilvastu–3), and LP Sawa Limbu (Jhapa–4), representing different parties and economic sectors.
Interpretation: Why Business Is Turning to Ballots
Business leaders entering politics argue that policy uncertainty, inconsistent taxation, regulatory hurdles, and weak investment protection have pushed them toward direct political engagement. According to their narrative, lobbying from outside Parliament has delivered limited results, while laws affecting industry, finance, labor, and trade are often drafted without sufficient private-sector input.
Observers say this reflects a deeper frustration within the business community over Nepal’s economic governance. Frequent policy changes, unstable governments, and delayed reforms have raised the cost of doing business. For many entrepreneurs, contesting elections is now seen as a way to shape the rules of the game rather than merely react to them.
A New Dynamic, New Questions
The growing presence of business figures could reshape parliamentary debates, particularly on economic policy, taxation, investment laws, and financial regulation. Supporters argue that lawmakers with real-world business experience may push for more pragmatic, growth-oriented policies.
At the same time, critics caution against potential conflicts of interest, warning that stronger business representation in Parliament must be matched by transparency and accountability to prevent policymaking from favoring narrow private interests over the public good.
As voters prepare for Falgun 21, the rise of business-backed candidates highlights a key question for Nepal’s democracy: can greater private-sector participation in politics translate into more stable and effective economic governance, or will it blur the line between public duty and private gain? The answer will depend not only on who wins, but on how power is exercised after the ballots are counted.
