Voters in Nepal's Mahottari-4 Demand Development Amidst Election Buzz

Mahottari. Election discussions are heating up in House of Representatives Constituency No.-4. Candidates and political party workers are busy visiting villages and hamlets to solicit votes. This constituency, bordered by India to the south and Sarlahi district to the west, lags significantly in terms of development. Its residents are compelled to travel to India for healthcare services.

"If someone falls ill, we have to rush to exchange Indian currency; we are forced to go to Sitamarhi when sick," lamented 35-year-old Imtiaz Ahmed from Samsi Rural Municipality-6.

In most settlements in the southern parts of the district—Sonama Rural Municipality, Samsi Rural Municipality, and Ramgopalpur Municipality—patients are forced to go to India because the health posts and primary health centers do not provide reliable services. 40-year-old Shesh Saurat from Samsi-6 says, "Matters related to people's health treatment have not received adequate importance in the election."

The grievances of the residents of Samsi and Sonama are heard more loudly than those in Ramgopalpur, Manra-Sisawa, and Aurahi, which are in the eastern part of the constituency. Ramkalebar Yadav from Sonama-3 says, "There are neither standard hospitals nor quality education arrangements here. During the monsoon, the Madaha and Hardi rivers cause erosion; we have to stay awake all night."

Farmers here depend on rain-fed agriculture. Madan Sah, a socio-political worker from Sonama-2, says, "There are rivers on both the east and west sides of the village, but there is no irrigation system. The rivers, which should be a blessing, have become a curse."

Candidates conducting door-to-door campaigns are now offering assurances for well-equipped hospitals, quality schools, concrete embankments on rivers, and the digging of canals. Rampratap Yadav of Sonama-6 stated, "This time, we will not trust without a clear plan. Only candidates who present plans with a vision for development will receive our votes."

There are 13 political party candidates and 23 independent candidates in this constituency. Seven female candidates are in the race, including four from political parties and three independents. Candidates from CPN (UML), Nepali Congress, CPN (Communist Party), Rastriya Swatantra Party, Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, and Janmat Party are in the party-wise competition. Candidates from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Mongol National Organization, CPN United, Ujyalo Nepal Party, Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, Aam Janata Party, and Janata Loktantrik Party are also in the field.