Voter Apathy Persists in Parsa Despite Intensifying Election Campaigns

Birgunj. Political parties in Parsa have begun their election campaigns. Parties fielding candidates for the election scheduled for Falgun 21 have intensified programs like campaigning and meeting voters. However, voter enthusiasm is still lacking. There is still confusion among the general public regarding the election debate and the election itself. Even though heavyweight candidates are in the electoral field in Parsa Constituency 1, the public remains unenthusiastic.

In Constituency 1 of the district, 30 candidates have filed nominations for direct election, but voters show little interest in which party the candidates belong to. There is rather disgust towards those elected from old parties, citing their failure to deliver, and equal anger. They view the election with neither excitement nor surprise ('na harsh na bismat'). They express anger that no one has shown concern for the public's problems. Ram Pukar Prasad, a resident of Sabaitwa in Birgunj Metropolitan City-23, which falls under Constituency 1, expresses anger towards old parties, stating that all parties have been tested. 'The old parties do not do what they say,' says Ram Pukar, 'The old ones destroyed development works and government factories, which made people unemployed, but the leaders showed little concern for it; this is our misfortune.'

But this time, he feels that change will occur in the country.

He states that political parties should focus on development, education, and health, but none have been able to do so. Dhruv Patel, a resident of Birgunj-14, has not paid any attention to this election. 'What have the leaders done for the people?' he asks angrily, 'They are all the same; we will vote wherever the people from the village go.' He is worried because development works and everything else are in disarray, so he has not given much attention or priority to the election.

A farmer by profession, he is busy with farming. He wishes the government would manage the supply of fertilizers for farmers. Sugiya Devi, a resident of Maniyari in Birgunj Metropolis, has a similar reaction; she also expresses little enthusiasm for the election.

Stating that the situation regarding housing, drainage, education, and health in her area is critical, she says, 'There is a problem with housing in the Musahar settlement, and the drinking water situation is dire. The government must arrange for drainage, roads, and quality education.' She mentioned that she does not recognize the candidates because the door-to-door campaigns of political parties have not yet started.

Shivshankar Prasad from Birgunj-18, also in Constituency 1, accused the previously elected candidates of only favoring their associates. 'Leaders of old parties only looted the country and amassed wealth in their own homes,' he accused with anger, 'They impose tax after tax on the people; there is no benefit to the public, and these leaders have been tested since 20/25 [Bikram Sambat years].'

He says that this time the public will recognize the leaders who only remember the people during election time. According to him, in the past, votes were cast for candidates who came from the village, but that will not happen this time. 'We will rather support a new face; there is a hope that a new face might do something,' he said. Therefore, he stated that he would vote very thoughtfully this time.

Asarfi Sah from the same constituency does not see a guarantee that the election will happen, even though the election fervor and hustle have increased. Sikendra Sah Kanu from Birgunj-22 says that the old parties have not seen the problems of the people since 2046 [Bikram Sambat]. After expressing anger towards the old parties, he predicts that there could be many upsets this time.

Satya Dev Yadav from Ward Number 15 is also doubtful whether the election will take place. Even if it does, he foresees that no party will secure a majority. He is not interested in any party because the new parties also lack concrete agendas. He states that the public remains disappointed even as the election atmosphere builds. He does not see stability coming to the country through this election. 'The new parties also lack a strong agenda, and those joining them also seem the same. Balen's ambition appears excessive, which is causing public hope in this party to diminish,' he argues.

Heavyweight Three Candidates

Thirty candidates have filed nominations in Parsa Constituency 1. Specifically, three candidates are considered heavyweights here. A tough contest is anticipated between Anil Rungta of the Nepali Congress, Pradip Yadav of CPN-UML, and Hari Pant of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Old parties rely on the strength of their own organization, while new parties are attracting public interest. In this constituency, four ward chairpersons, including one deputy mayor from the Nepali Congress, have been elected. Ram Narayan Kurmi, Vice-Chairman of Congress Parsa, states that the Nepali Congress has about 2300 active members in this electoral constituency alone. According to him, unit committees have also been formed in all wards here. On the other hand, Prabhu Hazara, a central member of CPN-UML, claims that UML has 14 ward chairpersons in this constituency. Among these 14, he has also counted the ward chairpersons from JSP Nepal. Otherwise, he states that the number of ward chairpersons elected solely from UML here is six.