Local Politics and Caste Dynamics in a Nepali Village Election

Lakshminarayan Upadhyaya was the strongman of Simbhanjyang VDC. Despite his short stature, he had a robust physique, always wore clean white trousers and a shirt, topped with a traditional coat, and carried a Ramnami cloth, making him look like an incarnation of Lord Narayan. He was highly respected in neighboring villages and even the district headquarters. Having previously served as the headman (Pradhanpanch), he remained the VDC chairman continuously after the advent of multi-party democracy. No one could challenge him in elections, whether during the monarchy or the people's era; Lakshminarayan's rule prevailed in Simbhanjyang VDC.

In his own village, Lakshminarayan was almost an incarnation of the divine. Although extremely popular in surrounding areas, he was occasionally criticized for only bringing development—such as roads, electricity, and upgrading the local high school to a higher secondary school—to his own ward, while neglecting other villages. However, such gossip had no effect on his political stature; rather, it seemed to boost it. Indeed, his eldest son was the principal of the local higher secondary school, and his middle and youngest sons were high-ranking officials in the state machinery; Lakshminarayan enjoyed success from all sides.

The election fervor had begun again in the village. Lakshminarayan seemed indispensable, but his opponents were slowly growing in Pipaldanda, the largest village in Simbhanjyang VDC. The villagers were resentful because Lakshminarayan had neglected Pipaldanda, which had about a hundred households.

Indeed, Lakshminarayan had channeled all development resources exclusively to his own ward, ignoring numerous demands from Pipaldanda, such as establishing the VDC office there, opening at least a primary school, and arranging for drinking water. Consequently, the residents of Pipaldanda were unhappy with their chairman. However, this dissatisfaction from Pipaldanda did not significantly affect Lakshminarayan, who had been the chairman for thirty years through various maneuvers to secure his vote bank during elections.

‘You all should stand for election; we have no desire to rule over the Bista community after winning,’ the elder Shyame Damai immediately poured cold water on the youth's plan.

Most of the Damai community resided in Pipaldanda. There were about 70-80 Damai households, with the rest being Bahuns. The Bahuns were involved in farming. Most Damais did not own arable land. They earned their livelihood by sewing clothes, playing music at weddings and ceremonies, assisting Bahuns in farming, and harvesting crops. Untouchability was rampant in the village. Despite being the overwhelming majority, the Damais were oppressed. The handful of Bahuns looked down upon the Damais with disdain.

Some young Bahuns in Pipaldanda concluded that if they defeated Lakshminarayan in this election and ensured someone from Pipaldanda won, their village would not see development otherwise. But whom to field? If they nominated a Damai, it would be difficult to convince their own parents, and if someone from among themselves stood, there was no guarantee the Damais would vote for them. The youth were perplexed. Determined to defeat Lakshminarayan no matter what, the determined youth gathered some village elders one evening to present their plan.

‘You all should stand for election; we have no desire to rule over the Bista community after winning,’ the elder Shyame Damai immediately poured cold water on the youth's plan.

‘Rather than voting for these Dumekras, Lakshminarayan is better; at least he is a Bahun, and his name is like God's,’ Raghunath, whose mind was clouded by the intoxication of untouchability, made it clear that he would not accept a Damai candidacy.

‘That's the crux of the matter, brother Raghunath; it's something unheard of in our lineage, who would vote for a Damai?’ Kedharprasad agreed.

The meeting concluded. The Damais left with heavy hearts, and the young Bahuns looked dejected. The elderly Bahuns left for home, their hair standing on end.

Ratne Pariyar was washing the tea cup he had used when some young Bahuns arrived at Simalpate Maili's tea stall.

‘It seems impossible to defeat Lakshminarayan, brother Ratne,’ Yuvraj complained.

‘You all... first, you must explain everything to your parents at home before calling a meeting. The Bahuns themselves were offended by what you said. First, you decide what you will do; convincing the Damais is my responsibility,’ Ratne Pariyar advised.

Being somewhat educated and having traveled abroad, Ratne Pariyar was relatively knowledgeable. He believed education and awareness were crucial to removing discrimination and untouchability in the village. He was certain that for Pipaldanda to develop, the Bahuns and Damais must work together. He suggested that although the young Bahuns' plan to defeat Lakshminarayan came with good intentions, the preparation was incomplete, and then Ratne headed home.

Sipping tea at Maili's shop, the young Bahuns began pondering how to make their plan to defeat Lakshminarayan successful. They concluded, as Ratne had suggested, that they must first convince their own families.

The Bahuns had no objection to voting against Lakshminarayan if a candidate from their own caste stood. The Damais had not demanded that someone from their caste should stand either. They thought that whoever came, their suffering was their own, and they had to appease the Bahuns to survive. Some young Damais, however, were going around saying the vote would go to whoever offered them liquor the day before the election.

Finally, through the relentless efforts of the young Bahuns, Pipaldanda got its own candidate this time. Bholanath, Kedarnath's son, decided to challenge Lakshminarayan in the electoral arena.

‘Exactly, sir. Add two or four gallons of liquor to that, and then you can say it. Even if Ratne doesn't fall for it, won't others?’ Ekle suggested a formula to solve the problem.

The news that Bholanath was contesting the election spread like wildfire throughout Simbhanjyang VDC. Ekle the Damai informed Lakshminarayan early in the morning that Bholanath's antics were not insignificant.

‘We shall see. How will he win the chairmanship with 40 or 50 votes? Why would the Damais vote for that simpleton Bhole?’ Lakshminarayan seemed confident of an easy victory, despite the rising tension.

‘No, sir, Ratne has influenced everyone. All the Damais are united,’ Ekle warned.

‘Why worry, Father? Two days before the election, if we drag a buffalo over there, all the votes will be ours. We just need to tell them to eat until their stomachs burst. What difference does it make if one Ratne doesn't agree?’ The eldest son, Bishnuprasad, advised that winning the election wouldn't be difficult if they employed the strategy of appeasement (Saam-Daam).

‘Exactly, sir. Add two or four gallons of liquor to that, and then you can say it. Even if Ratne doesn't fall for it, won't others?’ Ekle suggested a formula to solve the problem.

‘You spoke the truth. You find the liquor, take the money, and we will buy the buffalo right there and drag it over,’ Lakshminarayan concluded the discussion.

Ekle couldn't keep the matter to himself. As soon as he reached the village, he informed Ratne about Lakshminarayan's attempt to buy the Damais with liquor and meat.

‘Oh dear!’ Ratne sighed deeply.

The next morning, while drinking tea at Simalpate Maili's stall, Ratne relayed the news of Lakshminarayan's new scheme to win the election to the young Bahuns. Everyone fell silent.

Seeing everyone speechless, Maili spoke up, ‘Can't you offer the meat that Lakshminarayan offers? After all, they are your own villagers; why wouldn't the Damais vote for brother Bhola?’

Everyone liked what Maili said.

The Bahuns managed to raise some money (bis dam). Now, where to buy the calf? The buffalo belonged to Kamlikanta. Moreover, would they sell such a healthy buffalo? Bhola sighed deeply. He took all the elders to Kamlikanta's house. Initially, Kamali was hesitant, but realizing that the oppressive Lakshminarayan must be defeated, he agreed to sell the buffalo.

The prime buffalo belonging to Kamlikanta was bought and a feast was organized for the Damais. The Damais butchered the buffalo, and Kamali shed tears. Ramai Damai arranged for rice in a large pot. The children jumped with joy. The buffalo from the upper house sacrificed itself for the lower house to defeat the corrupt Lakshminarayan.

‘After ruling unchallenged for so many years, respected by all, such great prestige...' I don't know what he remembered? Then he said, 'Alright then, I will go down to Pipaldanda tomorrow itself,' and descended.

Ekle also ate his fill of the feast. He said, ‘Bhola Dai's vote is confirmed.’ He took the remaining meat as well. The next day, before the sun rose, he started climbing uphill, picking his teeth with a siru stalk.

Seeing Ekle's face early in the morning, Lakshminarayan sensed some bad omen. As feared, Ekle said, ‘The Damais will not vote; what can I achieve alone, sir?’ and elaborated on the meat and rice incident.

Lakshminarayan groaned. ‘The Bahuns have outsmarted me; I cannot handle the Dumekras anymore.’

Lakshminarayan lost his appetite for puffed rice. He didn't feel like moving around. He dozed on the veranda all day.

‘For forty years, no one dared look me straight in the eye or speak up; what misfortune has befallen me in my old age? The Pipaldanda people are ungrateful; is development only my responsibility? Shouldn't they strive to build their own village? Shouldn't I look after my own village? Where and how much can I manage? Does anyone feed others while starving themselves?’ Lakshminarayan pondered these thoughts as the day ended.

As the sun began to set, his wife and son suggested the final strategy to appease the Damais: Lakshminarayan initially hesitated, ‘I would rather die than abandon my caste.’

Then, recalling ‘After ruling unchallenged for so many years, respected by all, such great prestige...' I don't know what he remembered? Then he said, 'Alright then, I will go down to Pipaldanda tomorrow itself,' and descended.

Even then, he did not enjoy his puffed rice. He drank a little sugar water and went to sleep.

The scorching heat of the Jeth month was less intense than the heat of the election campaign, which made the young Bahuns sweat profusely. Bholanath was confident of securing the Damai votes. To escape the midday heat, Ramai Damai, Shyame Damai, and some other Damais sat in the shade of a hillock, listening intently to Ratne's words. Just then, Lakshminarayan appeared ahead with his entourage, holding a black umbrella.

In his clean white trousers and shirt, topped with a black Juhari coat, a vertical Chandan mark on his forehead, and his ever-present Bhadgaunle cap, Lakshminarayan, shaded by an umbrella, looked like a king or maharaja from a bygone era.

In a few days, the election was held. The following weekend, the radio announced the news—Lakshminarayan Upadhyaya won the Simbhanjyang VDC chairman post by a large margin...

The Damais were startled. Ramai and Shyame Damai exchanged glances. The other Damais quickly stood up. Ekle had already warned everyone. The remaining Damais also gathered shortly.

Lakshminarayan turned his head and cast a glance at all the Damais. Some looked worried, some curious, some were looking towards Shyame Damai, while others stared at the ground, drawing figures with their big toes.

Lakshminarayan understood the mood. Then, feigning concern, he spoke, ‘Tell me, brother Shyame, what should I do? I am where I am today because of you all. What is my honor compared to yours? You all lifted me up and brought me here; now, if you want to pull me down, do it. If you all don't vote for me, I wouldn't even be in politics. I stood again relying on you all; now, do as you see fit.’

Saying this, Lakshminarayan took off his cap and placed it at Shyame Damai's feet. Shyame Damai was startled once again. The Damai women exclaimed, ‘Aabui!’ and bit their tongues. As Shyame was saying, ‘What are you doing, sir...’, Lakshminarayan said, ‘Save me if you can, kill me if you must,’ and walked away.

The Damais were stunned. The Damai women started crying, saying, ‘Oh no, the curse of the Bista will befall us.’ Some managed to say, ‘We must ensure Lakshminarayan wins now; he showed us such respect.’

Ratne tried hard to dissuade the Damais from falling into Lakshminarayan's trap, leaving them conflicted.

In a few days, the election was held. The following weekend, the radio announced the news—Lakshminarayan Upadhyaya won the Simbhanjyang VDC chairman post by a large margin...’

(Gaire is currently studying in Los Angeles, USA.)