Voters in Parsa-4 Express Frustration Over Unmet Development Needs Amidst Election Buzz

Birgunj. Similar to other parts of the country, the election fervor is increasing in Parsa Constituency Number 4. Candidates are reaching out to every corner of their constituencies to woo voters. However, voters are expressing anger, citing the lack of attention to development works and resolution of various problems.

Kanchhimaya Lama from Thori Rural Municipality-5 in Parsa says that since those elected in previous elections did nothing, she will vote thoughtfully this time. “Thori Rural Municipality has a severe drinking water problem, and there are no tube wells for agriculture. This is a very old problem that has not been resolved yet,” she says.

She complains that leaders come during elections but disappear for five years after winning. Therefore, she states the necessity of arranging hospitals, drinking water, and employment in this area.

“What we need is drinking water and tube wells for agriculture, but the leaders of the old parties are narrating the saga of democracy. We need leaders in this constituency who pay attention to the problems of the people,” she says.

Baburam Budhathoki from Subarnapur is in the mood to vote for a new party this time. Although he has voted for the Congress, UML, and Maoist parties before, he says he will choose an alternative force this time because they did nothing for his area. 

“The candidates from the old parties are now asking for a chance to correct themselves, but that situation will not remain anymore,” he says.

Lalu Yadav from Jirabhawani Rural Municipality-1 has a similar complaint. He is angry that those elected repeatedly from this constituency have done no work in the village. “No one provided fertilizer when we asked for it for agriculture; farmers managed it themselves. No elected representative showed interest in things like roads, drinking water, and tube wells for farming,” he says.

The problem in the Dalit settlement of Jagannathpur Rural Municipality is even more dire. Rajendra Raut Dom from Jagannathpur Rural Municipality-2 says that no elected representative has done anything for Dalits so far. “Whether it is about relief materials or housing construction. Dalits are neglected in all development,” he says.

The Dom community does not even have houses to live in. The problem of drinking water is equally severe. Locals complain that leaders only use the Dalit community as their vote bank. 

Ganesh Sah, a resident of Dhobani Rural Municipality, appears dissatisfied with the old faces this time. He complains that they have not paid attention to road construction in the village, as well as the necessary materials for schools and agriculture.

Twenty-four candidates have filed nominations in Parsa-4. Candidates include former minister Ramesh Rijal from Congress, Jalim Mia Mansuri from UML, Tek Bahadur Shahi from RPP, Jay Prakash Tharu from the Communist Party of Nepal, Kripa Sindhu Chaudhary from JSP Nepal, and Binod Prasad Yadav from Ujyalo Nepal Party, among others.

This constituency includes Thori, Jirabhawani, Dhobani, Jagannathpur, Kalikamai, and Chhipharmai Rural Municipalities, along with one ward each from Pokhariya and Pakhahaimanpur.