Rupandehi-2 Candidate Paudel Expresses Confidence Amidst Campaigning

Butwal. Industrialist Chunnnu Prasad Paudel is the Nepali Congress candidate for Rupandehi Constituency No. 2. Paudel received the ticket as the Congress party nominated about half a dozen industrialists across the country.

Paudel is currently busy with election campaigning. What is the experience of Paudel, known for his industrialist image, as he steps into the electoral arena for the first time? What are his agendas? Here is a brief conversation on these topics:

You, who have established an identity as an industrialist, are now seeking a role in the parliament. How does that feel?

The Nepali Congress has given tickets to some industrialists. One reason for giving us tickets is the objective that industrialists can better understand the problems and certain difficulties faced by the industry sector. There are many other reasons too. I have been active in the Nepali Congress for a long time. I am the person who received the highest number of votes in the party's general convention. In that sense, I am also known as a beloved leader within the Congress.

Having been involved in trade and industry, I am now reaching out to voters in every locality as a candidate for the House of Representatives. Every industrialist worries about how to get a return on their investment; I have the same concern. Now, as a candidate, I meet mostly familiar voters. The only difference is that yesterday they knew me as an industrialist, and today they recognize me as a candidate. However, I have a clear understanding of the work to be done even if I become a candidate or enter the House of Representatives, so I do not feel any awkwardness when talking to voters.

How is the election campaign going?

My constituency includes Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Tilottama Municipality, and some wards of Sainamaina. This includes Wards 1 to 13 of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Wards 1 to 6 of Tilottama, and Wards 1 to 4 of Sainamaina (or the mentioned wards). Door-to-door campaigning has been completed in most of these wards. The Nepali Congress has established contact offices in every ward. Similarly, election work is being carried out by forming various committees at the ward level. The regional election mobilization committee and various other committees are also working. I myself have been visiting voters' homes from morning till evening. I am working day and night in the election activities.

What are your agendas?

I need to coordinate and move forward with large projects in my constituency that the local levels cannot solve on their own. Although this area has seen some physical development, the problems of squatters and drinking water scarcity still exist. I will continuously strive to solve these problems. Since this is an area where industrialists and traders also reside, my role in parliament will be policy-oriented to solve their problems.

Specifically, there are currently various bureaucratic hurdles to sustain domestic industrialists and establish new industries. Due to these hurdles, industrialists, especially young industrialists, are migrating abroad rather than investing in Nepal. I have a clear plan and vision to stop this.

On the other hand, youth leave the country daily for foreign employment. The main reason for not being able to retain youth in the country is unemployment. I will make a special effort to eliminate unemployment. Currently, I have provided employment to more than 5,000 people through my industries and hospitals. It is necessary to create an environment where other industrialists like me can provide similar employment and contribute maximum tax to the nation. For that, more industrial areas need to be added here. The Motipur Industrial Area must be established.

In my election manifesto, I have given high priority to the 'One Household - One Employment' campaign. The manifesto clearly outlines a framework for making youth employment-rich by bringing them into digital technology. I have committed to creating sustainable employment through investment-friendly environments, protecting and promoting industry, trade, and business sectors, a transparent tax system, and reliable legal arrangements.

Prioritizing agriculture to move towards self-sufficiency and self-employment is also a major part of the manifesto. I have put forward a plan to encourage farmers through the establishment of agriculture and livestock business centers, determination of crop pocket areas, subsidies, easy agricultural loans, sales centers for produce, easy availability of equipment, seeds, fertilizers, and medicines, and proper management of agricultural-livestock insurance. This is expected to further encourage old farmers and attract the new generation towards agriculture. I have put forward a plan to produce technical and skilled manpower by transforming Butwal Technical Institute (BTI) into an engineering college and establishing an engineering college in the Butwal Auto Village as well. This is believed to supply the skilled labor force needed by industries and further contribute to job creation.

What kind of feedback are you receiving from the voters?

Voters have high hopes, they are enthusiastic, and the party workers are united. Most people know me. Although I am a candidate for the first time, I have been familiar to the voters of this area for years due to my industries, businesses, hospitals, etc. Now that I am a candidate, they have pledged their support. Voters are happy to be able to vote for a person who has made a good impression in Butwal, rather than continuously voting for the same candidate.

What are your bases for victory?

Voters are looking for a new face as I contest from the Nepali Congress. I am confident of getting many votes due to my clean image. Secondly, the Congress has a strong organization here. There is new enthusiasm after the leadership change at the center.

I have currently provided direct employment to more than 5,000 people through my hospitals and hotels in this area. I have provided direct employment to more than 5,000 people in about half a dozen large business establishments, and I believe I can do much more.

On the other hand, Ward No. 11 of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has the largest number of voters. The vote from here has played a decisive role in many past elections. I am a resident of this very ward.

How do you present yourself before other competitors here?

It is said that the candidates from UML and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) are strong in this constituency along with the Nepali Congress, but that is not the reality. The foundation of the Nepali Congress is strong, and I am a person with a clean image. That is why voters like me.

On the other hand, from my morning walks to drinking tea at the square in the evening, I get to meet local voters, and they share their joys and sorrows with me. Although RSP is being discussed outside, it is limited to social media and tea gossip. If you sit down with the actual voters, there is no problem for the Nepali Congress to win in Rupandehi Constituency No. 2. I will surely win because my party colleagues are openly supporting me, and the voters love me. This is because I always meet the people here, but it is difficult for other candidates for the voters to meet them. I am always a person who desires the development of Butwal and Rupandehi. On the other hand, even after winning the election, I will work closely with the voters here. Voters understand that my industries, hospitals, and other business establishments are here.