Candidates in Sudurpashchim Present Diverse Agendas Ahead of Federal Elections

Dhangadhi. A total of 210 candidates had filed nominations for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21. After two withdrew their candidacies, 208 candidates are now in the electoral fray.

The contest features a mix of established and new faces, ranging from independent candidates to those from major political parties. All 208 candidates have their own distinct election agendas. Currently, candidates are striving to win the hearts of the public by assuring them of the work they will undertake if elected.

Candidates are releasing manifestos incorporating their agendas. Some promises and commitments in these manifestos are old, similar to those made by previous candidates, while some are new. Here are some of the manifestos of certain candidates.

Kailali Constituency No. 5, which encompasses Dhangadhi, the capital and main commercial center of Sudurpashchim, has become the center of much discussion in the province. A major contest is anticipated here between the old guard and new contenders.

Narayanarayan Shah (Manu), the candidate from the Nepali Congress, has focused his manifesto on development in Dhangadhi. His main agendas are the completion of the Martyr Dasharath Chand National Academy of Health Sciences and the Phapla International Cricket Stadium. Furthermore, he has not overlooked the West Seti, Pancheshwar projects, and the Daizichhela and Haraiya SEZ Special Economic Zones.

In the same constituency, Prem Bahadur Ale is the candidate from the CPN (UML). Ale, who won from Doti in the last election and served as a minister, has come to Dhangadhi to contest this time. He is now distributing the development assurances he previously gave to the citizens of Doti to the people of Kailali Constituency No. 5.

He stated that he shifted his working area to Dhangadhi because he saw the necessity for development there. Claiming that he managed two billion five crore rupees for the airport expansion while he was a minister, but the project stalled after he left office, he has committed to implementing it now. His priorities include operating academic programs like MBBS at the Martyr Dasharath Chand Health Science University and constructing a shorter route road connecting to the Urai Pass via Chainpur, Bajhang.

Similarly, he has included river erosion control, greenery and embankment construction, and the rights of women and Tharus in his 20-point manifesto.

Furthermore, Anand Bahadur Chand, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) candidate from Kailali Constituency No. 5, is being watched with interest in this election. He entered politics after leaving his studies and teaching profession in the United States.

His statement is, 'I will make Kailali-5 the best in the country.' His agenda includes developing urban and rural health systems by establishing rural satellite clinics, and integrating 'Education, Skills, and Entrepreneurship' for sickle cell medication and employment. He has also based his declarations on the Phapla Cricket Stadium and the upgradation of the Dhangadhi Airport.

Yagyaraj Dhungana, another candidate from this constituency, has put forward youth-focused and smart programs. He has put forward the agenda of upgrading Dhangadhi from a sub-metropolitan city to a metropolitan city, expanding IT services and health insurance programs, and 'One Youth, One Employment.' Similarly, Chandra Saud, the candidate from the Ujyalo Party in Kailali-5, has put forward commitments to resettle and solve the problems of decades-long Kamaiya (bonded laborers) and landless squatters, using ideological debate and leveraging the brand of Kulman Ghising.

His commitment includes providing 50 percent subsidized loans for small businesses with an investment of less than 5 million rupees and resolving the problems of cooperative victims through legal means. He has also put forward an agenda for a provincial-level library for the protection and upliftment of the Sanatana Hindu religion.

Likewise, Parelal Rana, who filed an independent candidacy from Kailali Constituency No. 5, has also published his election manifesto.

Parelal Rana, an independent candidate from the same constituency, has also declared that he will leave no stone unturned to ensure the basic needs of the people. His declaration emphasizes establishing a transparent and corruption-free governance system, with a special focus on managing agricultural production and fertilizer irrigation.

He also mentioned putting special pressure on the construction of the Phapla International Cricket Ground, promoting agricultural production and market, and institutionalizing a common cultural platform for the identity, self-respect, and cultural tourism development of the Sudurpashchim Province by including it in the regular plan of the federal government.

Former Chief Minister Trilochan Bhat is in the electoral field from the hilly district of Dotis. Presenting the decisions made while leading the provincial government as his achievements, he has put forward the agenda of effectively advancing the China-Nepal-India Trilateral Fast Track if elected. He has made the Fast Track connecting Khutiya to Dipayal in Doti and then to Urai Pass (China) in Bajhang his main plan.

Claiming that he played a significant role in paving the way for development by blacktopping 100 kilometers of road, establishing a 50-bed hospital, and advancing the West Seti project while he was Chief Minister, he is using these achievements as a basis for seeking votes. He stated that although the foundation for development was laid in the province, subsequent governments have not continued it. He has included these issues in his manifesto with a commitment to complete the stalled projects.

Meanwhile, in Baitadi, CPN candidate Parmananda Bhat has given utmost importance to rural hardships and put forward the issue of stopping migration. He has incorporated the development works he carried out while he was the LDO (Local Development Officer) chairman. He has put forward options like operating homestays in villages to stop the migration of citizens by connecting the Chwangadh area, Dudilakhan, and Dogadakedar routes, controlling the terror of wild animals (wild boars and monkeys), and cultivating Timur, turmeric, and ginger for income. He has assured the public that the excavation of medicinal herbs and minerals (iron mines, limestone) will draw a new map of overall development and employment for Baitadi.

Similarly, the issues in Kailali Constituency No.-2 appear to be focused on agriculture. UML candidate Suryabahadur Thapa has based his manifesto on the 'Green Campaign.' His main agendas include commercial plantation of medicinal herbs found in Sudurpashchim, the Rajkanda Fruit Garden Project, avocado farming, drip irrigation systems, and a high-tech vegetable zone. He has put forward a goal of providing employment to 8,000 people and making 20,000 families self-reliant within five years. The manifesto also includes expanding the road network between municipalities, the Chisapani-Rajkanda cable car, and eco-friendly programs for water recreation and forestry.

Nanda Bahadur Saud (Rajendra), the candidate from the CPN in the same constituency, has prioritized enterprise and employment. Under the slogan 'Skilled Youth, Honored Labor,' he has put forward plans such as expanding the Tharu Museum, promoting homestays, improving the Balchaur road network, and operating the Dudhejhari Industrial Area.

Likewise, the electoral competition in Kailali Constituencies No. 4 and 1 has also become a matter of interest. Lekhraj Bhatta, the candidate for the House of Representatives from Kailali-4, has prioritized improving health services, drug management, education, and cold storage construction. Based on his past work, he has linked his agendas to employment-oriented training, embankment construction, and infrastructure development.

The agendas of Congress candidate Janakraj Chaudhary from Kailali-1 are of a different nature. Stating 'Education is the basis of democracy and development,' he has included the Rani Jamara Kulariya Project. He has announced arrangements for budget allocation for 'Study and Earn' and for youth returning from foreign employment to start enterprises.

His declaration includes upgrading Tikapur Hospital to 100 beds and advancing youth through policy measures.

Similarly, Bhim Baduwal, the candidate from the Nepali Congress in Kailali-3, aims to establish the 38-kilometer multi-purpose project centered on the 'Kandra River Corridor' as a national pride project.

Kanchanpur Constituency No.-2 is an area of tough competition. UML's Bachan Bahadur Singh has prepared a plan for digital technology delivery to every household for service distribution. His main slogans are 'Hi-Tech Administration' which includes model schools, paving more than two dozen roads, and digital grievance management in public offices, and making it corruption-free.

He has brought a 38-point manifesto covering Bedkot, Shuklaphanta, and Kaluwapur. The policy standard of controlling wildlife and providing compensation to squatters affected by wild animals is estimated to solve the immediate problem here. Furthermore, river erosion and long-term planning have made the competition interesting.

Issues like the Phapla International Cricket Stadium, Geta Medical College (National Academy of Health Sciences), upgradation of Dhangadhi Airport, and the West Seti Hydropower Project are not new. Motiraj Pant, a local of Dhangadhi, says that leaders have been winning elections carrying these agendas for the last nearly 20 years.

According to him, these issues have now become almost mandatory in politics. He notes that looking at the manifestos of some candidates, issues related to information technology, digitalization, and creating employment for youth within the country are presented in a new form this time.

According to Rajaram BK of Mahendranagar, old leaders who came to power after winning elections in previous decades have repeated the old issues under a new guise. He commented that the trend of election manifestos often remaining confined to paper and showing weakness in implementation is being repeated.