Yadunath Adhikari Wins Kaski Raswapa Chairpersonship by One Vote

May 6, Pokhara – Yadunath Adhikari has been elected chairperson of the Kaski district chapter of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) by a margin of just one vote during the party’s inaugural convention. At the convention held in Pokhara on Saturday, Adhikari narrowly defeated his competitor, Ekraj Nyaupane, receiving 115 votes to Nyaupane’s 114. A total of 233 votes were cast, with four abstentions; the remaining 290 votes were fully accounted for.

Adhikari previously served as Kaski’s district chairperson and has transitioned through various parties including the Maoist and UML before joining Raswapa. He is a prominent local businessman in Pokhara with interests in real estate, water resources, and resorts. He sought to be a candidate from Kaski-3 in the elections held on February 3, 2026 (2082 Falgun 21), but without the party ticket, which was awarded to Bina Gurung, who subsequently won the election.

In the election for secretary, Bishwaraj Paudel emerged victorious over Tekraj Sapkota, who received 122 votes compared to Paudel’s 106. Paudel was previously the coordinator for Kaski constituency number 3 and has been an active member of Raswapa since its early days, following involvement with the Bibeksheel Sajha Party. Aside from the chairperson and secretary positions, all other office bearers and members were selected by consensus.

China Bahadur Gurung was appointed as vice-chairperson, Sujan Bastakoti as deputy secretary, and the treasurer will be appointed later, according to Provincial General Secretary Navin Tripathi. Members selected include Shravanraj Jamarkattel, Chitrabahadur Kshetri, Rajkumar Bhandari, and Dalit women’s representative Laxmi Pariyar, who was elected unopposed. Furthermore, the chairpersons of the five local levels in Kaski will also hold member positions in the district chapter.