Nepali Congress Leader Gagan Thapa Unveils Manifesto for Sarlahi-4, Pledging Focus on Madhesh Issues

Kathmandu. I have come to make the issues and problems of the Madhesh a national issue and priority. Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has unveiled a manifesto for the residents of Sarlahi-4.

Thapa, who is contesting as a candidate for the House of Representatives from here, made the manifesto public on Monday.

He stated that he feels proud and responsible while standing on the fertile soil of Madhesh, in Sarlahi Constituency No. 4. He said he has come to unite and establish a deep emotional connection, to listen to, understand, and internalize Madhesh, and to make the issues and problems of Madhesh a national issue and priority.

He stated that he has come with a resolve to understand Madhesh deeply, not just look at it from the outside, and to find a permanent solution to its decades-old problems.

My Pledge, My Campaigns for Sarlahi Constituency No. 4

Respected Mothers-Fathers, Sisters-Brothers,
Greetings!
I, Gagan Thapa, stand before you as a candidate for Member of Parliament from the Nepali Congress party in your homes and courtyards. At this moment, I remember all the known and unknown great martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives for civil liberties, democracy, identity, and rights in every movement, from the 2007 revolution through the Madhesh movement up to 2082 BS. I pay high respect and heartfelt tribute to them. I am proud to say that the first spark of Nepal's democratic consciousness, the true foundation of every movement for change, and the bedrock of federalism were etched in this sacred soil of Madhesh.
Standing on the fertile soil of Madhesh, in Sarlahi Constituency No. 4, I feel reverence, pride, and responsibility. I have come to unite with you, establish a deep emotional connection, listen to, understand, and internalize Madhesh, and make the issues and problems of Madhesh a national issue and priority. 
Before coming to Sarlahi with the resolve to become your representative, I had visited the villages and settlements here during the 'Postal Highway Dialogue'. Stepping on this soil, I encountered many hidden stories and sorrows, and saw rays of possibility. I dialogued with citizens who have been living a difficult life for years searching for possibilities around the country's oldest road, which is neglected by the state, has risky and abandoned bridges, and the surrounding areas.
I closely witnessed the daily harsh struggles faced by the brothers and sisters from the Majhi, Nishad, Musahar, Muslim, Sahani, Kushwaha, Yadav, and many other hardworking communities. Therefore, I have come with a resolve to understand Madhesh deeply, not just look at it from the outside, and to find a permanent solution to its decades-old problems. 
We have mentioned various national political issues and the overall issues of Madhesh in a separate manifesto on behalf of the party. Regarding this Sarlahi Constituency No. 4, I have formed a team of constituency experts and have been closely studying the problems and possibilities here by directly communicating, interacting, and consulting in your municipality, villages, all 51 wards, and rural areas. I have noted down every problem of yours and am determined to find a solution for them.
Infrastructure Priorities

While visiting your homes and courtyards, many people raised the issue of infrastructure. Some places have bridges abandoned for years, some face waterlogging issues, and some require urgent repair of dams. Some need canals and roads, some need drainage and drinking water, some lack irrigation facilities and require electricity for it, while some need agricultural storage, farm tools, and infrastructure. Many infrastructure constructions and repairs are needed, from roads to dams. Some of these works are related to the Federal Government, and some to the Provincial Government. I will resolve the infrastructure problems by coordinating with the respective levels of government. This is my pledge.
Along with this, upon visiting various communities, suggestions were given regarding health, education, nutrition, as well as problems faced by women, children, and underprivileged communities for their upliftment. The price of agricultural produce and the problem of fertilizer have always been a struggle for farmers. I have listed every problem you face in all 51 wards of the local levels, including these, and I am firmly committed to working to show visible results on every single issue.
In addition, I will launch some special campaigns in this constituency, which are briefly discussed here.

My Campaigns
1. Quality Education - Copy Pen Campaign: To improve the quality of education for children in this constituency and make our children capable through educational reform:

• We will operate the STEAM campaign to provide teachers for Mathematics, Science, and English and to make schools technology-friendly. 
• We will run a scholarship campaign for students from poor, Dalit, and Muslim communities to end the situation where they cannot attend school.
• We will arrange education in the mother tongue to make learning and education accessible for all.
• We will establish well-equipped campuses for higher education and technical schools recognized by CTEVT.
• We will launch the 'Capable Daughter Campaign' to ensure education and simultaneous earning for girls. 
  Accessible Health - Healthy Citizen Campaign: To ensure easy access to quality services near home through health institutions in this area:
• We will arrange sufficient manpower and infrastructure in the health institutions of this constituency.
• We will establish at least one 'Health Promotion Center' with a doctor in every local level to provide health services including medicine, testing, counseling, and treatment near home.
• In coordination with local levels, we will arrange free treatment for snakebites and kala-azar, ensuring health awareness, testing, counseling, treatment, and medicine availability.
• We will run special programs for 'I am Healthy, My Family is Healthy Campaign' and for the reduction of malnutrition and consumption of balanced and nutritious food. 
• We will operate a 'Mobile Clinic' and a home-based health campaign so that specialist doctors can reach the doorsteps of elderly citizens and patients with chronic diseases who cannot reach the hospital.
• We will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against drug abuse and addiction, operating awareness campaigns and creative centers in every village. We will establish rehabilitation centers for youth trapped in addiction.
• We will establish a Madhesh Kidney Treatment Center with modern equipment and specialists. 

Agricultural Upliftment, Farmer Pride Campaign: To end the plight of farmers in this area, where agriculture is the main basis of life, by ensuring timely supply of seeds, fertilizer, and price, and ending the burden of debt:

• We will guarantee the payment of sugarcane arrears, timely and easy availability of seeds, cold storage, irrigation expansion, and minimum support price. 
• We will operate the Agricultural Upliftment Farmer Pride Campaign by arranging collateral-free loans for agriculture and project-based enterprises. We will promote fisheries, mangoes, and other fruits, as well as vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, and tomatoes, and connect them with price and market. 
• Emergency Fertilizer Storage: By publishing a 'Seasonal Fertilizer Calendar' before the season starts, we will guarantee the easy availability of fertilizer by distributing it from the ward level, digitally tracking it from the customs point to the farmer's hands, and establishing an 'Emergency Fertilizer Storage' in Sarlahi.
• I will take the initiative to establish a fertilizer factory in Madhesh. 

Natural Resource and Disaster Management - Conservation Campaign: To reduce the risk of floods and waterlogging in the lower riparian areas of this constituency, and to secure the lives of citizens by stopping the erosion of the Bagmati and Manushmara rivers:

• We will construct concrete embankments to stop the erosion of the Bagmati River and repair the dilapidated dam of the Manushmara canal.
• We will stop erosion by planting bamboo on both banks of the river and increase bamboo production to enhance farmers' income. 
• We will work on long-term solutions by operating embankment construction, early warning systems, tree plantation, and water conservation programs. We will promote agroforestry. We will launch a 'Chure Conservation, Water Crisis Mitigation Special Campaign' to stop and conserve the exploitation of the Chure hills.

'Mission Employment Campaign': To reduce the compulsion to go abroad due to the lack of employment, opportunities, and skills, and to make youth entrepreneurs and self-employed by ending the gap between skills and market, and the lack of capital:

• We will identify skill requirements in various sectors through labor market surveys, operate integrated skill development fairs based on those findings, establish employment information centers, and arrange for training and skills provision according to market demand.
• We will run a 'Mentorship' program to facilitate collateral-free, low-interest loans and business development for women, Dalits, and youth wishing to start their own businesses, including commercial agriculture.
• We will provide free consultation and legal assistance, language and skill training, loan assistance, and procedural facilitation through a help desk to make youth skilled and safe before going for foreign employment. 
• We will provide necessary support through the People's Chamber (MP's Office) to solve the problems of youth residing abroad during their employment. 
• We will run a 'Labor Skill and Enterprise Campaign' to reintegrate, invest, and connect youth returning from abroad with businesses, making them owners through experience and capital, ensuring no youth remains idle.