Election Fever Rises in Kathmandu Constituency-2 as Candidates Intensify Campaigning

As the date for the House of Representatives election approaches, the electoral fervor has increased in Kathmandu Constituency Number 2. Although the formal campaigning is set to begin on Falgun 4, candidates are already reaching out to voters through door-to-door visits, community meetings, and interactions.

There are 28 candidates contesting in this constituency: 16 from political parties and 12 independents. Key candidates include Maniram Phuyal from the CPN (UML), Kabir Sharma from the Nepali Congress, Sunil KC from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Mukunda Karki from the Shram Sanskriti Party, and Kuntidevi Pokharel from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). Among the candidates, there are 22 males and 6 females. Three women are from political parties, and three are independent candidates.

The competition in this constituency is expected to be between candidates from established political parties and those from newer parties. Candidates have stated that they view this election not just as a partisan contest but as a test of trust.

The 'agenda' for most candidates revolves around employment, infrastructure development, education, health, and corruption control. They are promising to address voters' daily problems rather than focusing solely on lawmaking.

Traffic congestion in Koteshwor, drinking water shortages, management of the Manohara Corridor, and job creation have been made electoral agendas by almost all candidates.

Despite the country adopting a federal governance system, voters expect parliamentarians to resolve basic issues like roads, bridges, drainage, and water supply. Candidates argue that voters should not place the burden of fulfilling basic needs, which should be addressed by local and provincial levels after the implementation of federalism, onto those who represent the federal parliament to make laws.