Voters in Kathmandu Constituency 9 Grill Candidates on Post-Election Accountability Amidst Campaign Frenzy

Kathmandu. As the election date of Falgun 21 approaches, the only discussion heard in tea stalls, squares, and alleys of Kathmandu Constituency No. 9, from the youth to the elderly, is, 'Who should we vote for this time?' The election fervor has gripped the entire area, from the Switzerland Park on the hill of Nagarjun-7 to the bustling crowds of Kalanki.

The movement of vehicles carrying party flags accompanied by musical rhythms makes the entire constituency look festive. Candidates and cadres can be seen lining up to reach the doorsteps of the general public throughout the constituency.

Even amidst this celebratory atmosphere, the serious and long-standing questions of the voters remain equally alive. The most frequently asked question by voters when candidates visit their doorsteps is, 'Do you only come to ask for votes, or will you show your face even after winning?' Such questions from voters have not spared any candidate or party, new or old.

Candidates including Nanu Bastola of the Nepali Congress, Maila Lama of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), DP Aryal of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Dr. Ajaykranti Shakya of CPN-UML, and Roshan Dani of the Rastriya Janamorcha are currently busy visiting doorsteps to win the hearts of voters, appease them, and listen to their grievances. However, wherever they go, voters confront them with questions based on past bitter experiences.

When the Ratopati team arrived, Nepali Congress candidate Nanu Bastola was campaigning in various locations of Nagarjun Municipality-7. As Bastola arrived for door-to-door canvassing accompanied by a procession of Nepali Congress central committee members, former parliamentarians, candidates, and cadres from regional and various levels of the party, voters asked her, 'Where did those who won last time disappear? Will you also disappear after getting votes?'

72-year-old Thakur Puri of Purigaun, Nagarjun Municipality-7, questioned Congress candidate Bastola who was seeking votes, 'You came to ask for votes, but will you come later too?' Puri complained that he had not seen the leaders who came seeking votes in previous elections after the polls.

Elder Puri's suggestion to the candidates is quite poignant. 'My only request to every candidate is, do not make grand promises like 'I will do this, I will do that',' Puri says, 'Only say what you can actually do.'

He stated that he was disheartened by the tendency of leaders to make big promises during elections but fail to even fill potholes on the road after winning. He added, 'Big promises do not build trust; they increase mistrust. We need leaders who stand by us in happiness and sorrow and return after winning, not big mansions.' After hearing Puri's grievances, Bastola assured him that she grew up playing in this constituency since childhood and promised to return to this area repeatedly regardless of the election outcome.

Voters are asking the same questions not only to Congress's Bastola but also to candidates from other parties during their door-to-door campaigns. When the Ratopati team arrived, RSP candidate DP Aryal was campaigning in Naikap, Chandragiri-13, accompanied by a crowd of cadres. During the canvassing, 51-year-old Navraj KC questioned candidate Aryal, 'What is the point of a greeting now if you forget us later?'

'Will you come in the same manner after winning as you have come now?' he added to Aryal, 'Will we have to bow down to you to get work done in the future?'

In response to KC's question, Aryal gave the voters a specific timeline. He said, 'If I win, I will return to this constituency within 21 days to meet all the voters.' Aryal mentioned that this was his first time as a candidate from this constituency and that he was unaware of who came or did not come in the past.

When the Ratopati team arrived, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) candidate Maila Lama was meeting voters in Khadka Gaun, Kalanki, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-14, while playing election songs.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML candidate Dr. Ajaykranti Shakya was seeking votes in areas around Setogumba, Nagarjun Municipality-6, accompanied by Keshav Pokharel, a candidate for Provincial Assembly.

Voters also posed questions to Lama and Shakya such as, 'What is your plan to eliminate unemployment?', 'Are you only here for the election or will you return tomorrow too?' and advised both to return to the village after the election.

Lama swore to the voters that he is a man of this soil and will remain dedicated to serving the people even after winning. Asserting that the development of this constituency is now his responsibility, Lama urged the voters to be assured.

Similarly, UML candidate Dr. Ajaykranti Shakya stated that he was a candidate for Provincial Assembly from this very constituency in 2074, emphasizing that he has always remained close to this area and can never be distant from it.