Kathmandu, Jan. 22 -- Nepal's election arena has become markedly crowded with 'experience'- though widely criticised- as four former prime ministers have stepped into direct electoral contests from different parts of the country-Jhapa, Rautahat, Rukum East and Gorkha-adding weight and complexity to the upcoming polls.

Former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai, who publicly announced his retirement from active politics last September, has returned to the electoral battlefield from Gorkha-2.

After handing over leadership of the then Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti) to Durga Sob and declaring his intention to focus on policy research and intellectual engagement for the national interest, Bhattarai soon found himself drawn back into politi...