Voters in Jhapa-5 Divided Over Shifting Allegiance from Established Parties

Biratnagar. Dilli Prasad Fuyal, 72, who runs a betel nut stall in Gauradaha Municipality-3, Gauradaha Bazaar, has been doing so for years. Few people standing near the Gauradaha Bazaar junction, known as a stronghold of the CPN-UML, are now saying they will vote for the old guard.

Fuyal, who has consistently voted for the established parties in the past, is thinking of changing his vote this time. "We must bring these old leaders to heel," he said. "They will be disciplined after the Chairman loses. Why speak of cow dung cakes? All their votes have decreased. They haven't done any development. They have only nurtured cadres. They have protected the opportunists," he added.

The senior citizen demographic is divided on the issue of changing votes. While many state they will not vote for the old parties, others say that at this age, they cannot change their vote. The established parties, which have not been very popular among the youth, are in distress as the idea of changing votes begins to develop even among senior citizens.

Whether it is Khaikhatu Tajpuriya or Ravi Koiri from Gauriganj-5, or Manikchan Mahato, they all want to change their vote this time. However, Phaguni Tajpuriya, 50, from Thekithola, Gauriganj-3, says she will vote for the same old party. "They built a toilet for me, gave me tin sheets, provided a tap, and are promising gas," she said. "I will vote for the same old party."

Shibu Tajpuriya and Mangal Tajpuriya from Gauradaha-8 were also voters of the old party previously. They now claim they will vote for a new party. "We have seen the old parties—we have seen UML, we have seen Congress, we have seen Maoist," said Mangal. "Now we must improve the children's future and save the country. We need development."

However, Bhadra Singh Tajpuriya, a CPN-UML cadre from the same area, says that despite much talk about new faces, the votes will not come. "The pre-election games haven't started yet. The games will start now," he said.

But Ramvati Tajpuriya from the same area claims that people are now more aware, stating that votes were previously sold even for a packet of noodles.

Rupnarayan Ghimire from Gauradaha-8 is 71 years old. He also feels that many people want to change their vote. "Many say they will change their vote, but my hand won't go elsewhere," he said. "My children at home say something different."

Govinda Raut and Saurabh Fuyal from Gauradaha-7 are also thinking of changing their vote. Bishnu Parajuli from the same area claims that everyone in his family will vote for the same old party. Bal Bahadur Rai, 72, Chandra Kala Darji, and Bhupal Thapa from Gauradaha-3 say they will vote for a new party.

Bhaneshwar Chaudhary from Damak-9 says he voted for the old guard previously but will now vote for a new one. Dipendra Rai and Dilip Tajpuriya from Damak-3 say they will vote for a new party, while Purna Dhimal and Balbhadra Dhimal from the same area say they cannot leave the old party.

Whether it is Tikaram Prasai from Gauradaha-9 or Gopal Tajpuriya from Kamal Rural Municipality-1, everyone desires to change their vote. Mani Chand Mahato from Dangitole, Gauriganj-5, also says there is an atmosphere for new candidates. "The atmosphere for the new is prevailing. I have looked at everyone; now I will give the new ones five years."

Kaliprasad Tajpuriya from Gauradaha-8 also wishes to change his vote. "This time, I will openly vote for the new one. Previously, we supported him because he was a leader from our own area. KP was like a father to us. Now, we won't get anywhere with KP," he said.

Dilli Bahadur Khadka, 78, from Kamal-1, says he will not change his vote. "95 percent of the elderly will not leave the old ones. I won't leave either. What can the youth do? How many of them are there?" he said. "The old guard has a majority here. We should give the senior leaders one last chance, and then they should retire next time."

Tilak Bahadur Pokhrel, 84, from the same area, says he will change his vote. Chhabi Shrestha, 70, from Kamal-1, says he has been a supporter of the CPN-UML for a long time. Stating his long-time dedication, he says he will not change his vote on a whim.