As Arzu Rana Deuba, the spouse of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, is trying to emerge out of her husband’s political shadow, the upcoming federal parliamentary election is seen as a test of her popularity.

Her contender is Narad Muni Rana of the left alliance in Kailai-5. Rana is a local CPN-UML leader who has a strong hold in the Tharu constituency. Arzu, who was elected Constituent Assembly member twice in the proportional representation category, is facing the public for the first time in direct election.

There are mixed responses to the Nepali Congress’ decision to field Arzu, a resident of Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. Some argue that she is a “tourist” candidate who cannot contribute to development of this region. However, Arzu recently purchased a house in her constituency. In the second CA polls held in 2013, PM Deuba was elected from this constituency. In the by-election, he abandoned this constituency as he was elected also from Dadeldhura. Arzu has chosen the same constituency.

Many voters say Arzu is not accessible for common people. Others argue that given her relations with the outside world and proximity to the power centre, she could help in the development of this constituency.

Nrip Wada, an NC district leader, dismissed the charges saying that she receives party cadres and common people well. “When farmers of this district faced problems, she played an important role in making fertiliser available,” he said.

Some NC cadres express their displeasure at the party “imposing candidates from the centre”. Initially, there was strong dissatisfaction about the party’s decision to pick Arzu as a candidate. In recent days, Deuba is managing the intra-party rift in this constituency, according to a district leader. Pushkar Ojha had claimed the ticket to contest for the federal parliament seat. According to district leaders, PM Deuba asked Ojha to contest the provincial assembly polls, but he rejected the offer expressing his dissatisfaction.

Arzu has an advantage as the NC won the Dhangadi Municipality mayoral seat in the recently concluded local level elections. However, the left alliance and the intra-party rift pose challenges for Arzu’s victory. Candidate Rana said the votes received by the left alliance total more than the NC’s. “As a local leader, I am in direct touch with the common people,” Rana told the Post.

Candidates say the 18,000 swing voters mainly in the Tharu community could be decisive.