Kathmandu, March 6
Ranju Darshana, who contested the Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayoral election at the age of 21, has become a member of the House of Representatives nine years later.
In the election held on Thursday, she secured victory with 15,455 votes. Nepali Congress candidate Prabal Thapa Kshetri came second with 6,364 votes, while Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s Rabindra Mishra finished third with 3,972 votes.
Ranju Darshana is a well-known name in Nepali politics for advocating alternative politics. She entered politics at the age of 17 in 2013 after joining the Bibeksheel Nepali Party.
At that time, various political parties in Nepal, including some operating underground and others in mainstream politics, frequently called nationwide strikes. Protesting the hardships such shutdowns caused to citizens, Ranju actively participated in street movements. With her involvement, the “Bandh Boycott Campaign” was launched.
She also became active in social service. After the devastating earthquake of 2015, she worked in relief distribution and rehabilitation efforts. She also supported Dr Govinda KC during his hunger strikes against corruption.
Her influence within the party was also growing. In 2017, local elections were held, and she ran as a candidate for the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. She was 22 years old at the time. Her candidacy, launched with the slogan “Let’s make Kathmandu the most beautiful city in the world,” drew significant public attention. In that election, she received 23,439 votes and finished third. The mayoral race was won by CPN-UML candidate Bidya Sundar Shakya. That election brought Ranju into the national spotlight.
In 2021, internal disputes intensified within the Bibeksheel party. Ranju resigned from the party and remained independent for some time. In the 2022 House of Representatives election, she contested from Kathmandu-5 with the election symbol “Sel Roti,” but failed to win. She secured only 600 votes in that election.
In 2024, she joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party and became a central committee member. From the same party, she contested from Kathmandu Constituency No. 1 and won the election. Ranju is a permanent resident of the Maitidevi area of Kathmandu. She has completed her bachelor’s level education.
After becoming a member of the House of Representatives, she has pledged to work for good governance. Her priorities include good governance, strong action against corruption, a whistleblower protection policy, and transparent and accountable administration.
Seeking votes with the message that “development is impossible without good governance,” she has put forward slogans such as “Green city and open spaces,” “Protection of public open spaces,” “Expansion of green areas,” and “Clean, safe and livable Kathmandu.”
“Green Kathmandu, Healthy Kathmandu” is another of her commitments.
She has also pledged to strengthen the security system, pay attention to security management in sensitive areas, introduce modern security systems, and build a safe and well-managed city.
With the slogan “Safe city, safe citizens,” she has also promised to focus on traffic management. This includes scientific traffic management, the development of pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes, and the formulation of an effective public transportation policy. Another slogan she has presented is “Smooth travel, organized city.”
Addressing the issue of landless squatters is another of her commitments. She has pledged to ensure dignified housing arrangements and human rights–friendly resettlement.
Emphasizing sustainable solutions, she has put forward the slogan “Dignified life for all.”
Under mental health services, she plans to develop a mental health policy and expand services from schools to hospitals, focusing on youth, students, and women.
Promoting entrepreneurship and skill development is another of her priorities.
With plans to promote small enterprises, run skill development programmes, and create employment opportunities for youth, she has put forward the slogan “Prosperity through skills and entrepreneurship.”
Ranju has also emphasized women’s empowerment.
She envisions “Empowered women, empowered society,” pledging to expand entrepreneurship, skills, and employment opportunities for women, ensure equal political participation, and improve digital access and security.
