Pathao Nepal Co-founder Asheem Man Singh Basnyat Announces Candidacy for House of Representatives

Kathmandu- Asheem Man Singh Basnyat, co-founder and managing director of popular ride-sharing app Pathao Nepal, has officially announced his candidacy for the House of Representatives from Kathmandu Constituency No. 1.

In a statement released ahead of the March 5, 2026 (Fagun 21) elections, Basnyat said his decision to enter politics comes from years of experience navigating Nepal’s challenging business environment. He stated that even capable and hardworking youth face an uncertain future due to systemic failures, and he now wants to take direct responsibility in shaping national policies.

Basnyat said he aims to bridge the gap between “failure, pressure and responsibility” by becoming actively involved in policymaking instead of only criticizing from the sidelines.

His campaign is based on three core pillars:

-Promoting entrepreneurship and a startup-friendly ecosystem

-Establishing a culture of accountability among decision-makers

-Encouraging dialogue between experienced seniors and innovative youth

Positioning himself as a “responsibility-taker” rather than a career politician, Basnyat has called for a collaborative movement to change the country’s direction. However, he has yet to reveal which political party he will be representing.