CPN Candidate Jhag Bahadur Malla 'Sudeep' Campaigns in Surkhet-2, Citing Revolutionary Background and Development Plans

Surkhet. Jhag Bahadur Malla 'Sudeep' of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) is a candidate in Surkhet-2, which includes Karnali's capital, Birendranagar.

On Sunday morning, he was busy with door-to-door campaigning in Birendranagar-1. Malla, who was sharing his views and distributing campaign materials while canvassing, stated that the public is positive towards him.

Malla shared that he began his political journey by organizing with the student wing (All Nepal Free Students' Union) in 050 BS at the age of 14, and recalled being a full-timer in the conflict starting from 053 BS.

He took on the responsibility of District Party Secretary of Surkhet in 059 BS and mentioned holding significant command roles in the People's Liberation Army. He stated that he actively participated in battles on various fronts across the country as a Company, Battalion, and Brigade Commissar, and also led development construction during the war period.

He further stated that during his tenure as a commander of the People's Liberation Army and District Secretary of Surkhet (059/060 BS), he led the establishment of a large market in Guttu, Chaukuine, West Surkhet, and initiated the construction of the Salakot-Palaite road, naming it 'People's Liberation Route'. He asserted that he has been striving for societal transformation since a young age and is confident of winning due to his honest image.

Presented below is an excerpt from the election interview conducted by Pankhabahadur Shahi for Ratopati with CPN candidate Malla during his election campaign:

• How is the election campaign going? What are the people saying?

— So far, the door-to-door campaign has been completed in 41 out of 45 wards. We are currently in Ward No. 1 of Birendranagar, and wherever we have gone, a new belief has awakened among the general voters, instilling hope. We are among the people with a resolve to fulfill the promises and commitments made for the last time to the voters who are tired of voting repeatedly. The general public is positive about what we say.

• What are your agendas?

— I have put forward some strategic agendas, including establishing an 'IT College' in every municipality for quality education to ensure access to technology-friendly, practical, and employment-oriented education; upgrading the Provincial Hospital to an advanced, national level to ensure accessible, reliable, and quality health services for every citizen; and establishing specialized health institutions at the municipal level.

Similarly, for 'Bright Surkhet and Prosperous Future,' there is road and irrigation in every locality, electricity and drinking water facilities in every home, promotion of local tourism, economic prosperity through entrepreneurship development and industrial revolution guaranteeing respectable employment at home, developing Birendranagar, the provincial capital, as a modern and model city and upgrading it to a metropolitan city, and developing systematic settlements and urbanization in Barahatal, Panchapuri, and Chaukuine.

Yesterday, during the war, we fought for class distinction and equality. I lost my elder brother and spouse during the war. It is due to the sacrifice of the martyrs and our hard struggle that we now have a republic, proportional inclusion, and the end of class discrimination in the country.

However, there is some shortfall compared to the objectives for which the People's War began and the expectations the people had. Although the system changed, the transformation in the condition of the people that should have occurred did not happen. Now, we must lead that change.

• Surkhet 2 is a constituency where UML and Congress have historically won elections; now RSP is also in the fray. It must be difficult for you to compete, right?

— Although it appears to be a four-way contest externally, in reality, I see it as a competition between status quoism and progressivism. It is a two-sided competition between regressive forces and progressive, transformative forces. In this competition, the victory of the CPN, which has come forward with a plan, policy, and program for progressivism, is certain.

• Do the people listen to such things?

— Why wouldn't they listen? They do!

• You mentioned the possibility of victory above; are there any other bases for this?

— We played a role in electing UML in 074 BS and Congress in 079 BS. But they could not contribute to the proper development of this constituency. Now, after a long time, cadres are excited as the candidate is from the Maoist side. Our close sympathizers and the public are also happy that they will get to vote for their own candidate.

Furthermore, the voters of Surkhet have no history of choosing regression. The voters of Surkhet, who always desire progress and change, are the main basis for the current victory.

• So, you have an estimate of how many votes you will get?

— We are confident that we will achieve victory with an overwhelming majority.

• Finally, what do you want to tell the voters through Ratopati?

— Through Ratopati, I want to tell the voters of Surkhet-2 that we have come with a centralization of thought that will fulfill the expectations expressed by the people, the transformation of Surkhet, and the transformation they expect among the current political parties. We have come with progressive agendas. I appeal to everyone to focus on the election symbol of the CPN with new hope, trust, and confidence.