Rastriya Swatantra Party Holds 'Change Declaration Assembly' in Dhangadhi Amidst Enthusiastic Turnout

Dhangadhi. On Wednesday, February 6 (Bikram Sambat), the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) organized a 'Change Declaration Assembly' at an open field in Pashupati Tole, Ward No. 1 of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City.

This field is usually where the Sudurpashchim Festival is held. Targeting the elections scheduled for February 21, people came to attend the RSP assembly not only from Dhangadhi but also from Kailali, Kanchanpur, and the hilly districts.

Although the assembly was scheduled for 11 AM, it started late in the afternoon. The delay did not dampen the enthusiasm of the attendees. The atmosphere in the field completely changed when RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah arrived on stage.

There was a crowd of thousands at the assembly. Some were busy taking photos, while others were chanting slogans loudly. Standing in that crowd was Mithu Badi, holding the flag of the RSP. Mithu is a leader from the Badi community in the Sudurpashchim region. Residing in Chowki Danda, Godawari Municipality, Kailali, she has been fighting for the rights and welfare of her community for years.

She has the experience of voting for many parties until now. But this time, she held the flag with the bell symbol. When we asked her, 'Why did you change parties?', she replied:

‘We have voted for old parties many times and made them win. So far, no one has listened to the concerns of us, the Badi community, the squatters, and the landless. Instead, the previous government shot and killed our children. The pain of that unavenged sacrifice and injustice has made me stand in favor of the RSP this time,’ she said. ‘I am not anyone's follower, nor do I want to be one. The blood of the deceased young people is my blood too. It is the blood of my entire community, not just mine. Due to the behavior of the old parties, we are supporting the new one with hope,’ she added.

According to her, the Badi community in Sudurpashchim is preparing to vote for the RSP en masse this time.

Balen Shah and Rabi Lamichhane were the main attractions at the assembly. When they reached the stage, there was no room to stand. People were pushing each other to get closer. The crowd was so large that many women and the elderly could not even see who was sitting on the stage. Nevertheless, they stayed until the end to listen to the leaders' speeches.

Some active young leaders affiliated with other political parties also came to watch the spectacle in the crowd. They were saying, ‘We just came to see, to check the atmosphere.’ However, only a few were like that. The presence of youth supporting the RSP was also encouraging.

Milan Dhami from Dhangadhi studies in Grade 12. He was standing in the middle of the crowd. ‘We have come to support Balen Dai and Rabi Dai. We have hope that they will do something,’ he said. He mentioned that many students and youths like him came not for any temptation but out of trust.

The 76-year-old man, Bhantdev Joshi, also attended the assembly.

‘I have come to this change assembly for change. I want to hear what Balen and Rabi have to say, and I feel that RSP might achieve something,’ he said.

Some things were clearly different at this RSP assembly compared to other political parties' gatherings. Usually, when big leaders attend old parties' assemblies, there is a tradition of grand sofas and hours-long speeches. At this assembly, the RSP chairman and senior leaders sat on ordinary plastic chairs.

Januka Mahara, an attendee from Kanchanpur, observed this difference with great interest.

‘Leaders of other parties used to give speeches for hours, and I got bored listening. But here, the leaders spoke for only 3 to 7-8 minutes. Short words but a sweet vision. We really liked this style,’ she shared.

According to Mukesh Bam from Darcula, the craze among the youth seen at this assembly was absent in other parties. ‘Here, people seemed spontaneously hopeful from the heart. The happiness, zeal, and energy were distinctly different,’ he said.

RSP's provincial candidates also addressed the assembly. They presented a list of tasks they would undertake if elected. Candidates Bhupen Shah from Achham Constituency No. 2, Deepak Bohara from Kanchanpur-2, and Dr. Tara Prasad Joshi from Dadeldhura claimed that the youth would now improve the backward state of Sudurpashchim.

Senior leader Balen Shah had not spoken during his Sudurpashchim tour until now. At Wednesday's assembly, he addressed all nine districts, asking for an opportunity to work rather than just votes. ‘It's okay if you don't vote for us; instead, give us a list of tasks, and the Rastriya Swatantra Party will show results by working,’ he said. He addressed the assembly in his characteristic engaging style for three minutes.

Similarly, Chairman Rabi Lamichhane also committed to delivering results if the RSP is elected in this election.

At the assembly, an elderly woman was in line, crying, wanting to garland Balen and Rabi. She was trying to get onto the stage to garland Balen and Rabi. Volunteers on stage were asking her to wait. She waited for a long time but was not allowed up, and as she started to turn back, crying and getting upset, the volunteers let her go onto the stage, and Balen held her garland, saying he couldn't accept it. Rabi accepted the garland. The elderly woman whispered something in both their ears before leaving.

By the time the assembly concluded, the atmosphere was charged. The crowd included the elderly, children, adolescents, and an equal participation of women and men. Many attendees speculated that looking at the atmosphere, the RSP would achieve very good results in the Sudurpashchim elections this time.