The electoral contest in Dadeldhura has taken an unexpectedly open turn this time, with veteran Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, a five-time prime minister, absent from the race, ending his decades-long dominance in the district.

A total of 13 candidates, including those from the Nepali Congress, other political parties and independents, are contesting the election. Local residents say Deuba’s absence has intensified competition and made the result uncertain for the first time in years.

For more than three decades, Deuba’s candidacy from Dadeldhura had been almost taken for granted. Even after the government announced the elections, locals were confident that Deuba would once again be the Congress candidate. However, this time, he did not receive a ticket and subsequently decided to take what party leaders described as a “political rest”.

Deuba’s decision not to contest followed internal power struggles within the Nepali Congress.

Although he had hoped to run one last time from his home district, party president Gagan Kumar Thapa and vice-president Bishwa Prakash Sharma were keen that he step back from active parliamentary politics. Concerns that Deuba’s candidacy could prolong his influence over party affairs and future prime ministerial claims led to prolonged delays in ticket distribution. Eventually, Deuba himself announced that he would not run, avoiding what party officials said could have sent the wrong message had he been denied a ticket.

In his place, the Congress has fielded Nain Singh Mahar. With Deuba out of the contest, voters are reassessing their choices, and the election atmosphere has changed noticeably.

“In the past, once Deuba contested, the outcome felt almost decided,” said Dipesh Air of Amargadhi. “This is the first time all parties feel they have an equal chance.”

Local voters express a mix of hope and dissatisfaction. Some welcome the Congress decision to field a younger candidate, while others worry that generational change may not necessarily bring new ideas. Many say they had previously supported Deuba in the hope that Dadeldhura would benefit from having a prime minister as its representative.

Some voters see this election as an opportunity to question established parties. Devendra Chataut of Bageshwar Rural Municipality–4 said long-standing parties have failed to deliver expected development and jobs despite being in power for years. “Deuba has been elected repeatedly, and his decision to step aside is natural,” he said, adding that voters are now more inclined to support candidates who deliver tangible results rather than big names and promises.

Others acknowledge Deuba’s contribution to infrastructure such as roads, education and bridges, while also pointing to unmet expectations, particularly in agriculture. Surendra Bahadur Bohara of Parshuram Municipality said farmers still struggle due to lack of markets and fair prices for their produce, urging new representatives to prioritise farmers’ interests.

While few deny Deuba’s role in shaping Dadeldhura’s political identity, many voters say this election is not just about choosing a candidate, but about reviewing decades of political practice.

With Deuba stepping aside after representing Parliament continuously since 1991, Dadeldhura now faces its most competitive and unpredictable election in years.