Voters in Mahottari-2 Remain Skeptical Ahead of Upcoming By-election

Janakpurdham. As the date for the House of Representatives by-election on Falgun 21 approaches, voters in Mahottari Constituency-2 appear uncertain. Although candidates are campaigning vigorously in squares and intersections with agendas and commitments, enthusiasm among the electorate is lacking. Having voted based on repeated assurances in the past, voters this time are focused on supporting candidates with reliable plans and concrete action.

Bhoghi Yadav, 60, from Banauchadi in Balwa Municipality, says, "Our village faces a major problem due to the river. During the monsoon, floods put settlements and fields at risk. The risk was even greater this time, but the river embankment management has not been addressed yet. We will vote for whoever solves our problem." Expressing dissatisfaction with the leaders elected repeatedly, he added, "After winning the election, Bhandari ji never returns. They make big promises during elections, then forget later."

Prasad Shah from Badhiya says, "No development has taken place. I am disabled, but I have not received any services or facilities. With what face will the elected candidates come to us this time?" He pointed out the tendency to forget promises made during elections. "We elected them, they got positions, and they provided jobs for their own people. How much has the unemployment problem been solved when someone was the Minister of Labor?" he questions.

Ram Pravesh Raut from Godigamma in Mahottari Rural Municipality, who returned from abroad a month ago, says, "I have the chance to vote again this time, but I am uncertain. The road has not been built yet. Mahottari is among the leading districts for foreign employment. When youths face problems abroad, these leaders did not support them, so trust has been lost." Although the road section connecting Mahottari-2 to Janakpurdham has been blacktopped, locals complain about the problem of rainwater entering courtyards due to a lack of drainage management in the villages. They state that floods plague them annually.

Bindeshwar Pandit from Badhiya has been engaged in his ancestral occupation of making clay pots for 45 years. He says, "No machinery or equipment has been provided so far. This profession is dying out. I am preserving this profession, which carries the identity of Mithila culture, but it has not been commercialized. They made promises during the election, but forgot everything."

Ram Paridevi, 55, from Padaul, is a skilled farmer. She says, "Electricity poles have been installed for farming, but the connection has not been made. We sustain our families by selling vegetables, how can we farm?" Mahottari-2 is a region advanced in agriculture, producing large quantities of tobacco, vegetables, paddy, wheat, and pulses.

Salim Mansuri from Roza in Loharpatti Municipality says, "The Roza Mazar, a center of faith for our Muslim community, is not yet organized. They promise to organize it during elections, but it is still disputed."

Rakesh Jha from Bhagwatipur states that communities suffer annually due to the lack of concrete embankments, canals, and irrigation systems for river control. According to him, floods, erosion, inundation, and severe drinking water shortages occur during the monsoon. Kari Yadav, a resident of Loharpatti, says, "We will vote for the candidate who assures us of irrigation facilities, timely supply of seeds and fertilizers, accessible agricultural loans, and concrete dams to protect against floods."

Mahottari Constituency-2 includes Bhangaha Municipality Wards-1, 2, 6, 7, and 8; Balwa Municipality Ward-11; Loharpatti Municipality Ward-9; Mahottari Rural Municipality Ward-6; Aurahi Municipality Wards-7, 8, and 9; Pipra Rural Municipality Ward-6; and Ekadara Rural Municipality Ward-6.

For the upcoming election, a total of 37 candidates, including 15 from political parties and 22 independents, are competing here. This constituency has 107,594 voters. 133 polling stations have been arranged across 62 voting centers. In the 2079 House of Representatives election, Sarad Singh Bhandari of the Democratic Socialist Party won by securing 25,190 votes. His closest competitor from the Terai-Madhes Democratic Party, Vijay Kumar Singh, was defeated by a margin of 14,070 votes.

Bhandari was a member of the National Panchayat in 2038 and 2043, an independent candidate in 2051, and elected as a member of the House of Representatives from the Nepali Congress in 2056. He was elected from Mahottari-4 in the 2064 Constituent Assembly election from the Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum. In 2074, he became a member of the House of Representatives from Mahottari-2 representing the RJP. Bhandari, who has served as a minister 16 times, including as a state minister, since 2045, is competing again this time.

Janta Samajbadi Party Nepal's Sarad Singh Bhandari, Congress's Kiran Yadav, CPN's Laxman Kumar Yadav, Rastriya Swatantra Party's Deepak Kumar Shah, and 37 other candidates are in the electoral field from this constituency.