Candidate in Makwanpur Makes Legalization of Cannabis Cultivation Key Election Platform

Kathmandu. Santosh Bista, a candidate from the Progressive Democratic Party (PrLoPa) for Makwanpur-2, has made cannabis cultivation his primary election agenda. Bista presented this agenda to the voters of Constituency No. 2 during his election campaign. He stated that since the main problem for farmers in Makwanpur-2 is cannabis cultivation, it should be brought under the legal framework and legalized.

“Here, our farmers cultivate cannabis. It has been scientifically proven that cannabis is used for its medicinal properties. But here, people are being harassed under the guise of it being a banned narcotic,” he said. “The state arrests and jails at least one person every week here. Everyone is making empty promises. But I have personally advocated for bringing cannabis cultivation under the law and legalizing it. I have raised my voice that all those currently imprisoned on charges of possessing cannabis should be released with high honors.”

He also committed to presenting this agenda in parliament if elected. Bista clarified that even if he were not elected, he would never abandon this agenda for life. He presented two agendas put forth by his party and himself.

What is in the Agenda?
The first agenda is the agenda put forth by the Progressive Democratic Party; that is my first agenda. The second agenda, as I am the candidate, is the agenda of the people of this area, Makwanpur Constituency Number 2.

As the first agenda put forth by the party, our party has determined that the main reason the country is currently bankrupt and in disarray is primarily poor governance and corruption. We have set a slogan: ‘Ending Corruption and Poor Governance is the Goal of the Progressive Democratic Party.’ We desire good governance. Our party primarily emphasizes good governance. Only if good governance is established can this country move forward, and the people can prosper. And, it is our conclusion that the system of governance will be as the general public expects. Furthermore, our party has concluded that the root cause of the frequent government changes seen in the last five years is the form of governance. For that, there must be an executive head directly elected by the people. That party agenda is my agenda.

Similarly, as I contest elections in Makwanpur-2, there are numerous problems here. Minority Chepang communities, as well as the majority Tamang indigenous communities, reside here. This constituency has 62 wards. The main problem here is that our farmers cultivate cannabis. It has been scientifically proven that cannabis is used for its medicinal properties. But here, people are being harassed under the guise of it being a banned narcotic. The state arrests and jails at least one person every week here. Everyone is making empty promises. But we and I have personally advocated for bringing cannabis cultivation under the law and legalizing it. I have raised my voice that all those currently imprisoned on charges of possessing cannabis should be released with high honors. If elected, I will present this agenda in parliament. Even if, by chance, I am not elected, I will never abandon this agenda for life.

Furthermore, I will work with utmost honesty regarding raising the living standards of the minority Chepangs and other brothers and sisters residing here. Makwanpur district is also the capital of Bagmati Province, but the physical infrastructure here is of a very low standard. Much development is still pending here. There is an industrial area established here previously, but many industries in that industrial area are shutting down. The agenda should be to bring our industries into operation, create employment opportunities for the people here, and bring prosperity to the people; that is my agenda. Therefore, when I go before the general public, my agenda is to fulfill the expectation of prosperity for the people here and the expectation of good governance that the people seek from the rulers.

We must use this election, which is taking place following the specific events of Bhadra 23 and 24, with great awareness. There are approximately 156,900 voters in this constituency. I urge all of you to participate in this election and use your vote to its fullest potential. You must now choose the party that desires good governance, the representative of the party capable of establishing good governance. You must now sideline the traditional parties, traditional leaders, and those carrying traditional policies. I also urge you to vote for those of us who come before you with new ideas, new agendas, and new issues.