RSP Candidate Sudan Gurung Discusses Campaign Challenges and Development Priorities in Gorkha

Pokhara. Suden Gurung, a GenZ activist, is a candidate from Gorkha-1 for the House of Representatives election, which is being held on the foundation of the GenZ movement. Running on the ticket of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, this is his first time as a candidate visiting the villages, and he notes a different feeling in his interactions with the villagers compared to before.

He stated that the warmth and openness he used to experience when visiting Gorkha villages as a social activist are different now. He mentioned that the divisions created in the villages due to the structure of the old political parties have erected walls of fear among everyone. Nevertheless, he argues that this will not affect the voting outcome.

Ratopati's Prakash Dhakal spoke with Gurung, who had descended to Arughat after completing his door-to-door campaign in northern Gorkha, focusing on his election campaign. Below is an excerpt from the conversation with Gurung:

• Where are you now, and how is the election campaign progressing?

I have just arrived in Arughat after finishing my campaign in northern Gorkha. Yesterday and the day before, I was in the upper regions like Filim, Sirdibas, Pangsang, Nyak, and other places. After meeting the voters there, I have now come down to the lower region.

• In the past, you used to visit villages as an independent activist. What difference did you notice now, running as a party candidate?

I found a huge difference. Previously, when I went to the villages, people met me with open hearts, showing affection as if I were a brother or sister. They were happy that someone from their own village/area had come. But now, going as a party representative, people show a boundary. The old parties have divided society so badly that people are afraid to speak openly.

Even if they support you in their hearts, voters are afraid that people from the opposing party might see them, leading to trouble later. I am directly experiencing how deep the syndicate and network of the old parties are in the villages. People want change, but they are afraid to break that network.

• You requested PSO, stating you felt a security threat. What kind of insecurity is it, specifically?

I am not personally afraid. I am in my own village/area, but the party requested security after receiving information that armed individuals were moving around the village and intimidating our supporters. Voters are being psychologically terrorized. Threats are heard in the villages. This is about the security of the voters, not just for me. I am not afraid to go among the people under any circumstances.

Also Read:

What is the 'Security Threat' Mentioned by Sudan Gurung?

• What are you promising to do when asking for votes in the election?

My first priority is the road network. Life in northern Gorkha is miserable due to the lack of roads. Other development is only possible once roads reach there. Second is the Budhigandaki Project. This project has been stalled for 12 years, with only the budget being spent. It must be brought into immediate implementation.

Third is tourism. I plan to systematically promote and develop infrastructure for the Manaslu Circuit and local tourist areas. My unique agenda is the use of technology in agriculture. Apples grown in the northern region cannot be brought to market. My plan is to use drone technology to transport apples and store them in a cold store in Arughat. After that, I will arrange a system to sell organic products directly to consumers online through the Gorkha App. This will free farmers from middlemen.

• You are competing against leaders from old and established parties. How confident are you about winning the election?

I am confident about winning the election. Because my competition is not with any individual or leader, but with the problems here. The poverty, scarcity, and remoteness here are my competitors. Those who won previously did nothing, so the public is looking for an alternative. I do not look at what others have done or how many votes they will get. I am walking my own path. I see the desire for change in the eyes of the voters. Despite any syndicate, I trust that the people will use their discretion in the ballot box.

• Some people criticize and oppose the GenZ Movement. Do your voters ask about that movement? What do you tell them when they ask?

They ask. Many have spoken well of it. Many attempts are being made to defame our movement. Misinformation is being spread by mobilizing cyber armies and manipulating the media, but we are on the path of truth. Although it takes some time for voters to understand, they are gradually grasping it. We are establishing our agenda without getting distracted.