Harka Raj Sampang Rai, widely known as Harka Sampang, is a Nepali social activist and the current Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City. He first rose to fame through bold activism against corruption, water shortages, and environmental issues in Dharan. Over time, his work gained public attention, yet he had no support from major political parties. Even so, he entered the 2022 local election as an independent candidate. In the end, his honesty, grassroots efforts, and hands-on leadership helped him secure victory. Since then, he has been celebrated as the “People’s Mayor,” and today he stands as a symbol of change in Nepali local politics.
Quick Facts:
- Full Name: Harka Raj Sampang Rai
- Date of Birth: 1983
- Birthplace: Khartamchha, Khotang District, Nepal
- Political Position: Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City
- Elected As: Independent Candidate (2022 Local Election)
- Election Symbol: Walking Stick (Lauro)
- Votes Won (2022): 20,821 votes
- Famous For: Activism against water crisis, corruption, and environmental issues
Early Life
Harka Sampang Rai was born in 1983 in a village called Khartamchha in Khotang District, Nepal. His father, Til Bikram Rai, was a British Gurkha soldier. Harka grew up in a small village with simple living conditions.
After passing his SLC (School Leaving Certificate), Harka moved to Dharan in 1998 to study further. He later completed his Bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science from Mahendra Multiple Campus. During his college days, he also worked as a part-time tutor.
Working Abroad and Return to Nepal
After college, Harka went abroad to work. He spent around six years working in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. He returned to Nepal with a desire to help his country and do something meaningful for the people.
Social Activism and Early Efforts
When Harka returned to Dharan, he spoke out about the city’s problems. He fought against water shortages, illegal sand mining, corruption, and unfair taxes. But he did more than talk. He planted trees, dug trenches, cleaned streets, and led awareness campaigns. His simple lifestyle and hands-on work won people’s respect. Soon, he was known as “the people’s mayor.”
Running for Mayor
Harka first ran for mayor of Dharan in 2019, but he only got 422 votes. Many people didn’t know him then. But he didn’t give up.
In 2022, he ran again as an independent candidate (with the election symbol of a walking stick). This time, people connected with his message and honesty. He won the election with 20,821 votes, becoming the Mayor of Dharan. It was a big win because he beat candidates from big political parties.
He took office as the 6th mayor of Dharan on May 23, 2022, with Aindra Bikram Begha as his deputy.
His Work as Mayor
As mayor, Harka focused mainly on solving water problems, protecting the environment, and stopping corruption. Some of his key actions include
- Starting water collection and saving programs
- Building parks and promoting local culture
- Leading clean-up and tree-planting drives
- Making office expenses public for transparency
- Walking around the city to talk directly with citizens
Controversies and Criticism
Although admired by many, Harka has also faced criticism. Reports claim that he let a relative act as mayor while he was abroad, even though the law required the deputy mayor to take charge. He was accused of building a park in a protected forest without permission and increasing water bills by more than 300 percent without following court orders. There were also complaints about unclear handling of donations, favoritism in hiring, and the disappearance of a drone purchased by the city. These controversies raised questions about whether he was always fair and transparent in his work.
Conclusion
The story of Harka Sampang is one of struggle, courage, and determination. From a small village in Khotang to becoming the mayor of Dharan, his journey has inspired many people. He is not perfect, and his way of working is sometimes controversial, but he has changed how people look at local politics in Nepal. Whether or not he fulfills all his promises, Harka Sampang has already shown that change is possible, even without the support of political parties.
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