Voters in Kailali-4 Express Disillusionment Amidst Election Buzz, Demanding Development Over Promises

Dhangadhi. Attariya market, considered the main gateway to Sudurpashchim, always sees hustle and bustle. Being the focal point of the East-West Highway and the Bhimdatta Highway connecting seven hilly districts, activity runs around the clock. From the outside, this area appears developed. Its profile has further increased since the Sudurpashchim Provincial Government declared the Godavari area as the permanent provincial capital. However, stepping a little further into the settlements from the main market reveals a different reality. Voters in this area, which has received the title of the capital, show disappointment on their faces.

Electoral activities have begun in Kailali Constituency Number 4 for the House of Representatives election scheduled for the upcoming Falgun 21. Cadres are actively campaigning for their respective party candidates.

This time, a total of 16 candidates, including those from major, minor parties, and independents, are in the electoral field here. Lekhraj Bhatta, 66, from CPN-UML, Gorakh Bahadur Bista, 53, from Nepali Congress, Hariram Chaudhary, 47, from Nepal Communist Party, and Khemraj Koirala, 48, from Rastriya Swatantra Party are candidates.

Similarly, Kamal Rajwar, 31, from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Hemraj Bhatta, 34, from Rastriya Janamorcha, and Mohandev Mishra, 44, from Nepal Communist Party (United) are candidates. Amrita Bhul, 36, from Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, Dinesh Kumar Malla, 44, from Miteri Party Nepal, and Goplal Chaudhary, 38, from National Republic Nepal are candidates.

Likewise, Yagya Bahadur Tamota, 46, from Nepal Manavtavadi Party, Bhim Bahadur Thapa Magar, 50, from Shram Sanskriti Party, Bhakta Bahadur Shahi, 42, from CPN (Maoist), Subhas Kunwar, 38, from Ujyalo Nepal Party, Dhan Bahadur Sunar, 40, from Nagarik Unmukti Party, and Chhatra Bahadur Bhatta Khatri, 53, as an independent, have entered the electoral arena. Although the main competition is expected to be among the major parties, the attraction towards new parties seems to be increasing here.

The main complaint among most voters in the inner settlements of Godawari Municipality-10, Chure Rural Municipality, Mohanyal, and Gauriganga was the same—leaders come during elections, give assurances, but never return after winning.

Looking at history, voters in this area have elected one party at one time and another party at another time. In 2051 BS, Maheshwar Pathak of UML won. In 2056 BS, Tek Bahadur Chokhal of Congress won. In the 2064 BS Constituent Assembly election, Krishna Kumar Chaudhary was elected during the Maoist wave, while in 2070 BS, Gaurishankar Chaudhary of the Maoists won.

In 2074 BS, Lekhraj Bhatta, the joint candidate of the Left Alliance, won, who is also a candidate from UML this time. In the last election of 2079 BS, Bir Bahadur Balayar of Nepali Congress was elected. Looking at this, no single party has achieved continuous victories here.

We visited various settlements in this constituency to understand the election from the voters. The main complaint among most voters in the inner settlements of Godawari Municipality-10, Chure Rural Municipality, Mohanyal, and Gauriganga was the same—leaders come during elections, give assurances, but never return after winning.

Laxmi Kasera, 35, from Godawari Municipality-3, Khamaura Tole, appeared angry. The road in front of her house is unpaved. Dust in winter and mud in monsoon cause trouble.

“When they come to ask for votes, they greet us respectfully, but after winning, they don't recognize us,” she said. “There aren't even electricity poles in our settlement. Many houses have pulled wires from a single pole, which we fear might snap and cause a fire anytime. Forget drinking water; we have to drink water from a hand pump.”

Her biggest pain is unemployment and poverty. “How many times have they lied, saying they would provide land ownership certificates to those living on public land?” she said. “Fields are barren due to lack of irrigation. There is no work here. Even after my children study, they are unemployed. Our stove doesn't light up unless someone goes to India to wash dishes for others. No matter whose government comes, the condition of the poor remains the same.”

Laxmi, who previously voted for Congress, is undecided this time. “He asked for votes promising to bring motors and irrigation. Where the budget went, I don't know,” she said. “Now, I will vote for whoever looks after the poor and the distressed.”

Radhika Kasera, 38, from the same tole, has a similar experience. “I have voted twice, the situation is the same,” she said. “Is it enough to seek out the public only during elections? Why vote for someone who doesn't speak or show up after winning?”

According to her, although there are 16 candidates, she doesn't know any of them well. “We will vote for whoever presents a good agenda when they come to the village, after consulting with the tole,” she said. Voters here show disgust towards old parties, but they do not have complete faith in the new ones either.

Bishnumaya Budha, 48, from Godawari-8, is a health worker by profession. She was in government service until 2074 BS and now runs a medical clinic at home. She blames middlemen and unstable governments for the lack of development in the country.

“The budget comes, and the middlemen consume it; how can development happen?” is her question. She, however, is thinking of voting for Lekhraj Bhatta this time. “Only a leader with access to the center can bring the budget. Lekhraj Bhatta initiated the addition of 15 beds at Malakheti Hospital and the construction of the Geta Medical College structure,” she said. “The old ones understand the system; I don't trust what the new ones will do.”

The thinking of young voters is different. Gopal Awasthi, 29, from Godawari-10, is preparing to change his vote this time. “I voted for Congress before; after winning, neither the road was built nor did drinking water arrive,” he said. “Now, I will vote for a youth with a new vision.”

Bhawani Awasthi, 60, from Godawari-2, is a former Nepali Army personnel. After retiring following 30 years of service, he is now involved in animal husbandry. He is dissatisfied with the CPN-UML leadership. “I voted for UML because I liked Madan Bhandari, but I am disheartened seeing the state of the party now,” he said. “Only relatives and acquaintances get jobs; employees cannot function without taking bribes. Culture and morality are lost.”

This time he is looking for an alternative. “I like the words of Gyanendra Shahi of RPP, so I will vote for either RPP or RPP [Rastriya Swatantra Party or Rastriya Prajatantra Party],” he stated.

Years have passed since Godawari was declared the capital, but basic infrastructure has not been built. Ganesh Bam, 61, from Godawari-2, says, “It's not enough to just put up a board saying it's the capital. Those elected from here must advance the work for the capital.”

Meena Joshi, 31, from the same ward, says, “There is no road in our settlement. I will vote for the candidate who promises to build the capital and bring a road.”

The problem of squatters and river erosion is also significant here. Dambari Devi Bist, 50, from Godawari-10, says, “There is little public land. During the monsoon, the flood from the Machheli River enters the settlement. We have to stay awake all night. I will vote for whoever provides land ownership certificates and embankments.”

The plight of residents in the hilly areas of Mohanyal and Chure Rural Municipality is no less. Puja Budhamagar from Mohanyal says, “When people say Kailali, everyone thinks of the Terai. Our village is in the remote hills. There is neither a road nor a good network here. We need a leader who carries a plan for tourism development.”

Within this area lies the Shahid Dasharath Chand Health Science University, considered the pride of Sudurpashchim. Although buildings worth billions have been constructed, it has not been operationalized.

Meena BK from Godawari-1 laments looking at those buildings. “Such a huge building was constructed, but only a 100-bed hospital is running,” she said. “I will video-record the promises made by those who come asking for votes. Whoever operates the Geta Medical College, builds embankments on the river, and manages stray cattle will get my vote.”

Santu Chaudhary, a laborer from Gauriganga, says, “We voted for Congress previously; nothing happened. Now we will look at new faces. One thing is certain—they won't show their faces after winning.”

Voters in Kailali-4 appear very conscious and alert this time. Gopal Khadka, 55, from Godawari-2, says, “Even if we vote for a new person, we must think carefully. The time has come to look at the individual rather than the party.” According to him, voters now want to vote for intelligent, expert, ethical, and characterful individuals.