Voters in Rautahat-1 Express Frustration Over Unfulfilled Development Promises Ahead of Elections

Birgunj. As the House of Representatives elections draw nearer, electoral fervor is increasing across the country. Similar to other parts of the nation, election heat is rising in Rautahat Constituency No. 1.

Intense competition has begun in this constituency, which features heavyweight candidates, including a former Prime Minister and several former ministers.

Focusing their campaigns on meeting voters, various candidates are attempting to win over the electorate, who are angry over the failure to complete development projects stalled for two decades in the area.

During a field visit to the constituency, voters complained about the hardship caused by the non-construction of a bridge over the Bagmati River for the past two decades. Voters in Yamunamai, Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality, and Rajdevi Municipality appear particularly dissatisfied with candidates from the older political parties.

Rajaram Raut, a resident of Rajdevi Municipality-3 in Rautahat Constituency No. 1, stated that he feels a great deal of enthusiasm for this election. He is determined to cast his vote this time to set the country on the right path.

Raut said, “Although this constituency has elected big leaders, the condition of the area is pathetic. Due to the lack of a bridge over the Bagmati, many people in the vicinity are forced to use boats for transportation. Problems in employment and agriculture persist.”

Raut mentioned that young people from this area travel to Punjab, India, for seasonal employment just to make ends meet. He also shared that the lack of embankments along the Bagmati River causes major flooding and damages agricultural crops every year.

Parbati Devi, a resident of Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality Ward No. 5, expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the election. “What is the use of voting? Who understands our problems?” she said. “We face floods during the monsoon. No one provides subsidies. There is a lack of employment. We constantly struggle with how to feed ourselves. What benefit have we gained so far by voting for leaders?”

She recounted the trend where leaders visit villages during election time, promise to complete all development projects, but never return to look after the voters after winning.

Voters are complaining that the construction of the bridge over the river between Yamunamai Rural Municipality and Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality, whose foundation stone was laid by Madhav Kumar Nepal, has not been completed even after 20 years. Locals say that while the main roads have been paved, the condition of other roads is miserable.

Rafiq Mian, a resident of Yamunamai Rural Municipality-7, also stated that he has no faith in leaders from the old parties. He complained that problems related to roads, drinking water, and boring for agriculture have remained unresolved for years.

Suresh Thelawal (Bhagatji), a resident of Gaur Municipality Ward No. 1, said that the change following the Janatantrik Andolan (People's Movement) has sparked some hope. Claiming that the sacrifice of the children of the poor brought about major upheaval in the country, he asserted that the people will now bring change through their ballots.

He said, “This constituency has produced big leaders, but the area has gained nothing. The voters here are unemployed, and the condition of roads and drains is terrible. No one pays attention to education. We cannot afford to send our children to expensive boarding schools.”

Suresh stated that people will give an opportunity to new faces in the election as an alternative to leaders who repeatedly give assurances but fail to deliver. “I educated my children just by pushing my cart, but even after studying, my children are unemployed,” he said. “How long will we live in this condition? Change must happen now.”

Chhatu Sah, a resident of Badharwa, also described the difficult situation in the constituency. He noted that basic necessities like roads, drains, bridges, and essential materials for farmers have not been distributed easily. He believes there is no point in trusting and voting again for those who could not solve the basic problems of the people despite being elected for so many years.

In Rautahat-1, the candidates are Ajay Kumar Gupta from UML, Anil Kumar Jha from Nepali Congress, Madhav Kumar Nepal from the Communist Party of Nepal, Rajesh Kumar Chaudhary from Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Madan Shah from Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

Similarly, JSP Nepal has nominated Yogendra Ray Yadav, Janmat Party has nominated Devendra Mishra, and Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party has nominated Rajaram Mukhiya. Twenty-one individuals have filed nominations as independents in this constituency.