Nepali Congress Candidate Prabal Thapa Engages Enthusiastic Voters During Kathmandu Campaign Trail

Kathmandu. Monday morning, 7:00 AM. In Ward No. 11 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, in front of the Boys Union Club, 30 to 40 Nepali Congress workers had already gathered.

Some were chatting over tea in a small hotel near the club, while others were busy arranging election campaign materials. Preparations were underway to distribute sample ballots and the candidate's commitment letters to voters. One person played the Congress election song on a loudspeaker: 'Nepali Congress Zindabad, Zindabad. Congress has arrived.' Leaflets for the election campaign were being distributed to the attendees. Men and women were present in equal numbers to participate in the door-to-door canvassing.

As the Congress flag, banners, and election symbol were being prepared, the Congress candidate for Kathmandu-1, Prabal Thapa, arrived at 7:20 AM. He was garlanded by Rabindra Shrestha, Bagmati Province Vice-Chairman and Campaign Coordinator for Kathmandu-1, along with party unit chairman Saroj Mulmi.

Prabal ramped up the campaign. The gathered leaders and workers, including the Province Vice-Chairman and Unit Chairman, moved forward. The door-to-door canvassing began. Prabal started walking, asking for votes to ensure his victory.

Another leader accompanying him sought votes, saying, 'A changed Congress, even more so than the old Congress.' He added with more fervor, 'The changed Congress will take charge of the nation's reins. For that, please vote for Prabal.'

In response to Prabal and the leading workers, a female voter stated that she had voted for Congress in the past as well. She said, 'You say you have changed now. And you are young too. Rest assured. Our vote is for you people.'

Perhaps knowing that Prabal would be coming for the door-to-door campaign, most people had already prepared garlands and 'abir' (colored powder).

As the canvassing progressed, Prabal reached a grocery store in the Tripureshwor area. The shop owner, a voter, wished him success in the election. The Ratopati team present there asked the owner, 'You didn't complain to the candidate? You didn't even ask questions.' The shop owner replied, 'What is there to complain or ask? This area is a stronghold of Congress. We have won the ward with a full panel. Development work is already underway. Moreover, he is a local candidate from this area. He is also young. Therefore, there is no room for complaints or questions.'

During the campaign, some people took selfies with Prabal, while others took group photos. Those who knew him stopped their motorcycles to wish him well. During the nearly three-hour door-to-door campaign, some voters came down from their houses to meet him, while others waved their hands from above to offer good wishes. Most showed support by just nodding their heads, while some openly welcomed him.

Prabal faced few questions from voters and instead received blessings and good wishes. Voters did not appear to have high expectations from the candidate. Similarly, the candidate did not seem to be in a situation where he had to explain his plans and commitments extensively. However, he did commit to addressing youth employment and working in the area of job creation.

After the door-to-door campaign in that area concluded, Ratopati had a brief conversation with candidate Thapa.

What demands and expectations did you find among the general voters during the door-to-door campaign?

– The demands of the voters are at both national and local levels. When visiting an area, there are daily and sector-specific problems, of course. But rising above that, the issue of ending corruption rampant in the nation and good governance was raised prominently.

The problem of youth migration in the country is severe. There is a situation where only the older and guardian generations will remain. The main concern and demand among voters was the worry and need to stop the trend of youth going abroad.

This area has a legacy of victories for Prakash Man Singh, who has been winning for a long time. But you are young and new. Are voters also looking for a new face?

– As the Nepali Congress party has transformed and is moving forward under the leadership of the respected General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, many new faces, including myself, are appearing as candidates. But I am someone who has been continuously working within the party structure for the last 15 years. The voters of this prestigious and historic constituency, which the venerable leader Prakash Man Singh led for four previous terms, have welcomed me with great enthusiasm.

I am also a local resident here. Now, the expectation among voters is that the Gen Z and youth generation should lead themselves and reach decision-making positions. The new ideology and enthusiasm that emerged as the Nepali Congress transformed have brought youth like us to decision-making positions. This has greatly energized the residents of Constituency No. 1.

What are the bases for you to win against other candidates?

– The first basis is the sentiment of the youth. The second is the changed atmosphere across the country after our party transformed. The main bases for my victory are my agendas and the history of our party. We respect the glory and struggle of history, but Congress will no longer remain confined to history.

We have come with plans for the years 2085 and 2090 for the future. In the next five years, the Nepali Congress will work ruthlessly against corruption. We will not engage in power-sharing politics nor sell principles for power.

We will demonstrate our work with high morality. I also have personal agendas. The issue of good governance is always there. I have a plan to connect youth with employment, prepare skilled manpower, and provide tax exemptions for two years to encourage startups.

Our constituency also includes a stadium, so my focus will be on sports and heritage conservation. Another important thing is that the current era is the digital age. Technology is not a luxury. It is a necessity for national development. We will strive to bring a 'One Door Policy' so that all work, from opening to closing a company and obtaining licenses, can be done digitally in one place (ending the hassle of running to the ward, industry, and tax offices).

There is a kind of disillusionment among the public regarding the old parties. How do you view the difference between old parties and new candidates?

– Just because they are established old parties does not mean everything about them is bad. Young people like us are also in those parties and are visible today because we have received opportunities. We, the new leadership of the Nepali Congress and youth like us, have come forward to reduce the distance that had appeared between the leadership of established parties and the public.

My candidacy is also because I will serve as a bridge connecting the sentiments of the new youth with the guardian generation. The narrative that there are no new candidates or youth in the old parties is being challenged. My candidacy itself is a strong example of that.