Kathmandu- The general election scheduled for March 5 has gathered pace. According to the Election Commission, 3,484 candidates from 68 political parties, including independents, filed their nominations on Tuesday. A notable share of them come from business backgrounds.

Candidates linked to cooperatives, manpower, tourism, health, hydropower, digital technology, manufacturing, transport, and finance have entered the race to the House of Representatives (HoR). 

Among the most prominent contenders is Nepal’s only billionaire, Binod Chaudhary. He is contesting from Nawalparasi West-1 for the second time. Chaudhary won the same seat in the 2022 election. He said he stands for political change and economic transformation, and plans to focus on employment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth while addressing the expectations raised by the Gen Z movement.

Medical practitioner Sunil Kumar Sharma is another high profile candidate. Fielded by the Nepali Congress from Morang-3, Sharma is the director of Kathmandu Medical College and Nobel Medical College. He has also announced plans to expand investments in hydropower. Sharma was previously elected from the same constituency.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Vice President DP Aryal is contesting from Kathmandu-9. His business interests span agriculture, travel, cooperatives, brick manufacturing, remittances, education consultancy, security services, trekking, and hotels. He served as a proportional representation lawmaker in the previous parliament.

Birendra Kumar Mahato, a businessman with investments in banking, hydropower, and education, is contesting from Siraha-4. A former chairman of Machhapuchhre Bank, he was elected earlier from the Janata Samajwadi Party and is now a candidate of the Janmat Party.

Birendra Kumar Kanodia, chairman of Lumbini Sugar Mills, is contesting from Kapilvastu-3 as a UML candidate after leaving the Congress. Dhananjay Regmi, former chief executive of the Tourism Board and a tourism entrepreneur, is running from Syangja-1.

Asheem Man Singh Basnyat, managing director of Pathao, has entered the race as an independent candidate from Kathmandu-1. His candidacy has drawn attention to digital economy and technology focused policies.

Tilak Ranabhat, owner of Nur Overseas Manpower, is contesting from Kaski-1 as a Congress candidate. Media entrepreneur Rishi Dhamala is running from Rautahat-1 on behalf of the Aam Janata Party.

Hari Dhakal, a former lawmaker and Rastriya Swatantra Party leader, is contesting again from Chitwan-1. He is also engaged in multiple business ventures. Bharatraj Dhakal, former owner and chief executive of Muktinath Bikas Bank, is contesting from Syangja-1 as a Congress candidate.

The RSP has fielded energy entrepreneur Bharat Prasad Parajuli from Sindhupalchowk-1. Tourism entrepreneur and former TAAN president Ramesh Dhamala is contesting from Dhading-2 as a Congress candidate. Krishna Rijal is running in Dhading-1, while construction entrepreneur Mohan Acharya is contesting from Rasuwa on a Congress ticket. Acharya previously represented the same constituency.

In Dang-3, Congress candidate Deepak Giri, a businessman and former lawmaker, is seeking re election. Anil Rungta, involved in investment, insurance, and industrial ventures, is contesting from Parsa-4 as a Congress candidate.

Prem Khatri, a tourism and real estate entrepreneur, is contesting from Gorkha-1. Tek Bahadur Gurung in Manang and Yogesh Gauchan Thakali, a tourism entrepreneur, are also in the race.

Krishna Kumar Shrestha is contesting from Bara-4. His investments include hotels, apartments, construction materials, and energy projects in Simara. UML candidate Lal Prasad Limbu is also in the race and is involved in foreign employment, energy, and investment businesses.

Bhagirath Sapkota, a tourism entrepreneur, is contesting from Nawalpur-1. UML candidate Milan Gurung in Gorkha-2 has links to real estate and entertainment businesses. Cooperative operator Rajendra Prasad Pandey is contesting from Dhading-1.

Suman Saymi, operator of the Sweet Cave hotel in Kalimati, is contesting from Kathmandu-8. Arvind Sah, co founder of digital payment service Khalti, is contesting from Bara-3 as an RSP candidate. Transport entrepreneur Vijay Swar is contesting from Kailali-2.

The strong presence of business figures in this election is expected to sharpen parliamentary debate on private sector growth, investment, jobs, entrepreneurship, and economic policy. Analysts say such candidates could play a decisive role as economic recovery and development dominate the national agenda.