POKHARA, 15 Sept — In a significant shift towards younger leadership, Saugat Thapa, the youngest candidate in the  Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry election, secured a resounding victory for a member position.

The election, held on Saturday, saw 14 candidates vying for ten open member positions. Thapa emerged as the third-highest vote-getter, garnering an impressive 1,494 votes out of a total of 2,009 cast.

Thapa’s campaign, run under the slogan ‘Youth in slogans many times, Youth in leadership this time’  clearly resonated with the business community. He ran as part of Arjun Pokhrel’s team, advocating for fresh perspectives in the Chamber’s leadership.

“I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by our business community,” Thapa said after his win. “I’m committed to working hard and focusing on the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs in our region.”

This isn’t Thapa’s first involvement with the Chamber. Previously, he served on the committee through appointment. However, this marks his first election victory, signaling a strong mandate from Pokhara’s business owners.

Thapa comes from a family with deep roots in both business and politics. His father, Bindu Kumar Thapa, formerly served as president of the same Chamber and is currently the Minister of Social Development of Gandaki Province.

“I’m following in my father’s footsteps,” Thapa acknowledged, “but I’m also bringing my own vision for the future of Pokhara’s business community.”

The election results suggest a growing openness to new ideas and younger leadership among Pokhara’s business owners. As the Chamber moves forward, all eyes will be on Thapa and his fellow newly-elected members to see how they will shape the future of commerce and industry in the region.