CPN Candidate Jit Bahadur Rana Confident of Victory in Surkhet-1 Amidst Tough Electoral Battle

Surkhet. This time, Jit Bahadur Rana is the candidate from the CPN (CPN) in Surkhet Constituency No. 1. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this constituency, traditionally a tough contest between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, is like chewing a hard nut for the CPN. However, Rana remains optimistic about winning the election. Over a dozen leaders, including experienced Dhruv Kumar Shahi from CPN-UML, Bishnu Kumar Khadka from Congress, and Tek Bahadur Singh from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), are in the electoral field here.

This election will be a test for the CPN, as the Maoist faction did not field a candidate in the two previous elections since the country adopted a federal structure. In 2074 BS, the Maoists supported CPN-UML's Dhruv Kumar Shahi, and in 2079 BS, they backed Congress's Purna Bahadur Khadka.

The Maoists have now returned under the name CPN following a transformation after 10 years. Here is an edited excerpt from the conversation Ratopati had with Rana, the CPN candidate for Surkhet-1, who is also a former Maoist combatant:

You are in the field as a CPN candidate after nearly 10 years. What kind of response have you received from the voters?

I am very encouraged by the feedback received from the general public during the election campaign. Currently, we are focusing more on door-to-door visits and personal meetings rather than large rallies. This constituency has 122,000 voters and 54 wards. Although this area is rich in potential for the Bheri River banks, fertile land, medicinal herbs, and tourism, it remains far behind in development. There is an extreme shortage of quality educational institutions and specialist hospitals here. The paradoxical situation where one has to use the route through Salyan to reach Simta in one's own district, or through Dailekh to reach Tingad, still persists.

While touring settlements in Lekbesi, Bheriganga, Gurvakot, and Simta, I found the condition of the roads to be extremely dire. Despite being the district of the provincial capital, the remoteness here remains the same. This constituency has produced national leaders, but no one has shown the will to understand the suffering here and lead its development. My candidacy is to change this neglected state and bring justice to the people.

Purna Bahadur Khadka from Congress became the Deputy Prime Minister with your support, yet you claim development hasn't happened despite having such a big leader?

Yes, with our support, sometimes CPN-UML and sometimes Congress won the election, but development did not happen as it should have. This time, it is our turn.

Your party supported CPN-UML sometimes and Congress sometimes. Given this, the CPN is reportedly the third party in terms of popular mandate and organization here. Isn't it difficult to compete against parties with strong organizational bases when you enter the field alone?

Political fluctuations are one thing. In past elections, other parties achieved victory due to our support. This time, after the party center decided to field its own candidates in all constituencies, a new enthusiasm has spread in Surkhet. Cadres who were inactive yesterday are now mobilized with energy.

Let me tell you, Eastern Surkhet has historically been a fertile ground for revolution. From the Ghumne incident of 2036 BS to the People's War, the sons of this land have made great sacrifices. On this soil, irrigated by the blood of martyrs like Ganesh Sharma Neupane and Dila Thapa, our ideology has a strong foundation. Therefore, the narrative that the organization is weak is wrong; rather, our strength has now become more organized and effective.

Currently, more is being discussed about the new wave and change than about history. This must have had an impact too?

It is natural for the public to show anger and agitation because the leadership of the old parties failed to respect the popular mandate. Citizens are looking for alternatives as disillusionment with Congress-UML grows. As a son of a farmer myself and having grown up in a rural environment, the people consider me their own representative.

Yesterday, we played a leading role in changing the system and achieving the constitution. Now, we move forward with the resolve to change the condition of the people. Many new forces have emerged like a flash flood in a seasonal stream (khahare khola), but they lack ideological maturity and political decorum. A seasonal stream can never become a river. We have a clear vision, an action plan, and the patience to walk with the people. Therefore, this wave will not significantly affect our campaign for victory.

You say that, yet CPN-UML and Congress do not seem to consider you a competitor?

This arrogance of the major parties will be the reason for their defeat. We supported CPN-UML and Congress before; this time, the people will trust us. If they had worked according to the public sentiment, this situation of rebellion would not have arisen.

What is the basis for your victory?

I have three main bases for victory. First, the unprecedented energy among the cadres following the party's reorganization. Second, our clear political agenda and concrete development action plan. Third, the extreme internal conflict and factionalism within Congress-UML. The unity they show externally is weak internally. Voters are no longer in a position to believe their old rhetoric.

Not just the two old parties, but RSP is also creating a strong electoral atmosphere now. Your former colleague Ujyaalo Nepal and a young leader from RPP are also in the field. In this situation, won't the election become a hard nut to crack for you?

They are all there. But the ground reality is not what is seen on social media. As I said earlier, they are like seasonal streams. They cannot transform into a river.

According to what you say, it seems you will win the election. Are you that confident?

I am completely certain. Clear signs indicate that both the minds and votes of the voters are changing in our favor.

Oh, in that case, have you calculated how many votes you will get?

Our internal surveys regarding the number of votes are ongoing; it would not be appropriate to disclose them now. But it is certain that Eastern Surkhet will elect a new and honest leadership this time. I am confident that the mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters of this area will fully support my campaign to change the condition of the people.