Jhapa, Nepal – In Nepal’s eastern plains, rival political flags depicting blue bells and red suns flutter over tea farms and brick homes — symbols of a local election campaign shaping landmark nationwide polls.
Two prime ministerial candidates are going head-to-head in Jhapa 5, turning the sleepy district into a pivotal battleground in the Himalayan nation’s March 5 elections — the first since deadly anti-corruption protests in September toppled the government.
The district is the stronghold of Marxist leader KP Sharma Oli — the 73-year-old, four-time prime minister ousted by the unrest — who is confident of a return to power from a seat he has won multiple times.
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