The fierce one: Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal wins Kathmandu Constituency 10 with 20,499 votes.

Party flags flying high as a storm picks up after victory announcements in two important Kathmandu Constituencies.

Kathmandu Constituency 5 NC winner Narhari Acharya waves to his supporters as he leaves BICC, Baneswor.

As the skies thunder above and rain begins to fall, CPN Maoist supporters continue to cheer their victory in Kathmandu Constituency 10.

Maoist supporters celebrate their supremo's sweeping victory in Kathmandu 10 outside BICC, Baneswor.

The Nepali national flag amidst party flags at the Maoist victory rally after Pushpa Kamal Dahal is announced winner in Kathmandu 10.

CPN Maoist leader Pampha Bhusal is greeted with euphoria on the streets of Kupondole on Saturday morning following her victory in the Lalitpur 3 constituency.

CPN Maoist leader Pampha Bhusal takes a second to wipe her eyes while her open pick-up truck is on its way to the residential interiors of Lalitpur constituency 3.

CPN Maoist leader Pampha Bhusal accepts flowers and garlands on her victory rally around Lalitpur constituency 3.

CPN Maoist supporters from the Newar community outside the party office in Kupondole, Lalitpur, celebrating victory.

CPN Maoist leader Pampha Bhusal with youth leader Lekh Nath Paudyal on her victory rally in Lalitpur constituency 3.

Photographer's anecdote

A short ride with Pampha: Atop an open pick up truck, CPN Maoist's Pampha Bhusal toured her constituency, waving to supporters on the main streets and shaking hands with them in the interiors of Kupondole and Sanepa. Residents were waiting with flowers, vermilion and great enthusiasm. Perhaps they contributed to her victory, perhaps not, but a victorious candidate was at their doorstep, reaching out to them, thanking them and they responded.

As the rally propelled forward amidst pulsating cheers from the crowd, Pampha was directing her party workers; make sure the driver eats his lunch, don't shoo the children away—it will hurt their feelings, call to find out about 5 pm. Her attention to details kept her party workers on their toes.

Perhaps no other party had entered these neighborhoods the way this one did. Quick on her feet, Pampha strode deep into the dense field of houses. She walked up to people before they could walk up to her.

With this propulsion to reach out to the people, perhaps it should not be a surprise that the newest party on the block, recently out of the jungles, is winning hearts in the urban thicket as well.

• Audio & Video
• Books & Arts
• In Conversation
• Nepal
• Pictorials
• Poetry & Prose
• World