Independent Candidates Campaign Differently Across Nepal, Focusing on Integrity and Policy Over Extravagance

"Please vote for me if you like me. If you don't like me, vote for whomever you prefer. But do not vote for the corrupt, greedy, sinful, and those who distribute money."

This statement belongs to the outgoing Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Mahabir Pun. Pun, who served as a minister for four months in the interim government, resigned on Magh 6 and filed an independent candidacy for the House of Representatives from Myagdi-1. Currently, he is busy campaigning for votes in the villages of Myagdi.

While other candidates are using all means—flattery, wealth, punishment, and deception—to run flashy campaigns for the election scheduled for Falgun 21, videos of him walking alone in a subdued manner for his campaign are widely circulating on social media. During his door-to-door campaign on Tuesday in Musung village, Ward No. 3 of Beni Municipality, Pun urged voters to cast their ballots for his election symbol, the triangle. Dressed simply in a tracksuit and walking with his slippers slapping, Pun shows no arrogance of office or pride in his legitimacy.

He says, "I am not a politician. I have filed an independent candidacy precisely because I am not a politician. I have now completed 71 years and entered my 72nd year. It has been 33 years since I returned from America. I have not joined any political party. I am running as an independent because my objective is social service, traveling from village to village to serve the country and the people. Once you join politics, you get deeply involved."

During his campaign, he sometimes hums snippets of songs to voters. At other times, he is seen soliciting votes in the style of a Katuwal (a traditional folk singer) on a village hilltop. Sometimes, he is seen dancing spontaneously to music spontaneously organized by the youth of the village in support of Pun. While other candidates struggle to win despite spending millions, voters are actually giving money to Pun for his campaign expenses.

"I have heard that people distribute bundles of money to ask for votes in the villages. I heard people saying they took a bundle when I toured the villages," he said on the social media platform Facebook, "How can I speak about something I don't know? But voters are giving money to Mahabir Pun as campaign expenses instead."

Pun announced that by Falgun 10, voters had contributed 1.5 million rupees in support. He committed to informing the general electorate about all the money received online, as those transactions are not accounted for.

Sushila Karki, who became Prime Minister in Bhadra on the strength of the CPN movement, appointed Pun as Education Minister on Ashoj 5. Before becoming a minister, the chairman of the National Innovation Center was busy selling his autobiography. Pun was running an agricultural tool factory with the money earned from selling books. When journalists asked him a question at the office in Singha Durbar on the day he assumed office, he joked about being made a minister after selling books on the street. With a resolve to work day and night, Pun arranged for his stay and meals at the office. However, due to disagreements with the Prime Minister over the amendment of certain necessary laws, he resigned in anger and went to Myagdi to register his candidacy.

Due to his simplicity, demeanor, honesty, and original expressions, Pun is popular among the general voters. In Myagdi, which has only one constituency, Pun is among 12 candidates in the electoral field. In this constituency, Nepali Congress has nominated Karnabahadur Bhandari, CPN-UML has nominated Harikrishna Shrestha, the Communist Party of Nepal has nominated Arjunbahadur Thapa, and the Rastriya Swatantra Party has nominated Yubaraj Roka. Political circles suggest that Pun might pose a significant challenge to both old and new parties this time.

Born into a humble family in a remote area like Myagdi, he obtained a Master's degree in Science from the renowned University of Nebraska in the USA. Pun returned to his village and developed a wireless networking project. He played a significant role in the fields of science, technology, and computers. In recognition of his contribution to technology, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Discussion on Neupane's Intellect

After being involved in the leftist movement for 36 years, Lekhnath Neupane, a leader of the Nepal Communist Party, got the opportunity to contest for the House of Representatives for the first time. Neupane, a former chairman of the All Nepal Revolutionary Students' Union (ANNISU-R), is a candidate from Gorkha-2, carrying the legacy of the Maoist movement. Known for his intellectual and modest personality, he states that politics is service, not a business. Neupane, who values theoretical and ideological aspects over unnecessary promises and maintains a simple lifestyle, is committed to voters that he is capable of fulfilling parental responsibilities if elected. He is currently busy campaigning in the villages without adopting any ostentatious style.

"In my 36 years in politics, this is the first time I am appearing among the people. I have never held any official post or role that entitled me to a pension from the state treasury. Whatever I have done, I have served the people without benefits. That service has qualified me to become a member of the House of Representatives today," he says.

He states that the qualifications he has gained with integrity and honesty are capable of representing the needs and sentiments of Gorkha-2. However, he adds that he is capable of raising issues of national importance, policy matters related to development, and theoretical issues to move the country forward, utilizing his experience, capability, and knowledge beyond just local representation. Due to torture inflicted by the state during the Maoist insurgency, he lost his hearing ability. Neupane also lost his spouse during the war.

Since most voters in Gorkha are interested in development issues, he has committed to prioritizing their implementation. He asserts that he has no personal interest other than serving the people. "I have no personal interest other than addressing the expectations of the people. I can work firmly on policy and physical progress. I will leave no stone unturned to fulfill what I say," he says.

After former Prime Minister and Progressive Democratic Party candidate Dr. Baburam Bhattarai withdrew from the electoral field, the competition includes Milan Gurung alias Chakre Milan from UML, Kabindra Burlakoti, General Secretary of RSP, and Prakashchandra Dawadi from Congress.

Neupane, who did not get opportunities within his party for a long time, is against flashy election campaigning. He is seen busy campaigning while eating organic food from the villages. He focuses on the long-term solution to problems in good governance, physical infrastructure development, and social justice, rather than just solving immediate problems. During his campaign, Neupane neither makes statements that offend competitors nor offers hollow promises of development.

In the previous election in this constituency, CPN's Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' won with 26,109 votes. His closest rival, Burlakoti of RSP, received 12,639 votes. Abdus Salam Mia of UML received 7,395 votes. At that time, Congress supported the Maoists. This time, as parties are contesting independently, an interesting competition is anticipated in this constituency. In the last election, the Maoists received 19,000 votes under the proportional representation system in this constituency. Similarly, Congress received 11,882, RSP received 8,999, and UML received 6,185 votes.

Neupane, an intellectual and studious leader, is popular among all due to his clear ideology, principles, and simple lifestyle. Born in Ward No. 3 of Siranchok Rural Municipality in Gorkha, he is a leader born out of the struggle against illiteracy and poverty. After completing his secondary education at the local Janata Secondary School, he came to Kathmandu for higher education due to his family's financial situation. Amidst struggle, Neupane completed his higher education from Tribhuvan University.

He became active in leftist student politics while studying in school, serving as Campus Unit Chairman, Kathmandu District Chairman, and then becoming a Central Member of ANNISU-R before the Janayuddha (People's War) began in 2052 BS. While in jail in 2054 BS, he became the Central Treasurer, Vice-Chairman in 2056 BS, and Chairman in 2060 BS. Neupane served as Chairman twice from 2060 BS to 2067 BS.

Neupane is equally active in study and writing as he is in politics. He has created literature, articles, and compositions such as 'Pen,' 'Educational Strike,' 'All Nepal Knowledge,' 'You Are Immortal,' 'Education and Politics,' 'Janayuddha in Letters,' 'Debate on Education Restructuring,' 'Twenty-Two Years in Student Movement,' 'Chorus in Coma,' and 'History of Struggle.'

His other published works include 'Voice from Prison,' 'Creations from Behind Walls,' 'Eternal Signature,' 'Prachanda: Education and Politics,' 'Rajendra Dhakal: Memories and Respect,' among more than a dozen other works.

Dhital Popular Among Jumla Residents

Manarishi Dhital, the candidate from the Progressive Democratic Party in Jumla, an important district in Karnali Province, has a distinct campaign style. Dhital, who has consistently spoken and written in favor of truth, is considered an intellectual leader who avoids temptation. A former leader of the erstwhile CPN (Maoist Centre), Dhital joined the ProloPa after various leftist factions merged to form the Nepal Communist Party on Kartik 19.

The journalist and writer has published 'Diaries of the People's War,' compiling his diaries from the journey during the People's War from 2059 to 2063 BS. It has become a topic of discussion that he is raising funds for his election campaign by selling his books.

Dhital raises the issue that the tendency to use Dalits, backward classes, and minority communities merely as vote banks must end. He has consistently advocated for the protection of Jumla's water resources, tourism, and Sinja civilization. Adopting a simple lifestyle, Dhital emphasizes politics based on principles, integrity, and ideology.

"Our belief is: let's practice politics of faith, not power. Let's practice politics of service, not self-interest. Let's practice politics of commitment, not promises," he says.

During his campaign, Dhital has never engaged in activities that spread hatred or create animosity towards rival parties or candidates. In his manifesto, he remembers the contributions of individuals who contributed to Jumla's development through parliamentary elections from 2015 to 2079 BS.

"We cannot find the path to the future without respecting history. Therefore, we wish to show respect," Dhital says. "We may have theoretical and ideological disagreements with anyone, but we do not wish to criticize anyone."

In Jumla, Dhital's former colleague Naresh Bhandari from CPN, Deepbahadur Shahi from Congress, Shantilal Mahat from UML, Binita Katyayat from RSP, and Gyanbahadur Shahi from RPP are candidates. In the 2079 election, Shahi won with 22,819 votes. His closest rival, Goma Gautam of Maoist, received 11,959 votes. Mahat of UML received 6,528 votes.

Hari's Renown

Dr. Hari Roka, a candidate for the House of Representatives from Khotang-1 of the CPN, is an economic-political analyst. He has been living in the villages of Khotang for the last four years, actively engaged in agriculture, and is the author of the book 'Alternative Economy' and a renowned economist. Roka, frustrated by monkey menace in the villages, is busy campaigning with farmers' problems as his main issue. Due to his deep understanding of political economy, the intellectual circle, in particular, has openly campaigned in his favor. He clearly presents his and his party's agendas to the voters.

"Farmers have many problems. There are many issues from production and storage to marketing. The state must fulfill its responsibility for all these. I have filed my candidacy to represent the farmers to ensure that role is played," he says.

Roka emphasizes that the state should guarantee facilities for transportation, markets, and facilitation, rather than expecting subsidies from the state.

Roka, who is 67 years old, holds a doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University in India. For over three and a half decades, Roka has been writing on Nepal's politics, state character, political economy, policy-making, international affairs, development vision, and contemporary issues. Having been a member of the interim legislature and the first Constituent Assembly in 2063 BS, he asserts that he is running for the transformation of Nepal's economy and agriculture sector.

In the previous election in Khotang, Ramkumar Rai of Maoist was elected with 31,351 votes. Rival Bishal Bhattarai of UML received 28,682 votes. This time, UML has nominated Devbikram Rai. Congress has nominated Birkaji Rai, and RSP has nominated Rudra Giri.

Manahari Creating a Distinct Identity in Parbat

Manahari Sharma (Timilsina), the candidate for Parbat-1 from the CPN, is also campaigning in a different style. A journalist and intellectual leader, he was appointed as a communication expert during the recent Prachanda government. Timilsina is contesting for the House of Representatives for the first time. He had been preparing in his home district Parbat for two years for the periodic election of 2084 BS. However, the election date was moved forward due to the CPN movement in Bhadra, and he secured the ticket. During his campaign, he has been busy with door-to-door visits and has not been seen holding any flashy events. He advocates for long-term development and prosperity to voters rather than immediate promises. He has explained to voters that remittances from abroad are being invested in non-productive sectors, which is why job creation is not happening.

"Remittances from abroad are spent on buying watches, iPhones, and televisions. That does not increase productivity. It does not raise the standard of living," he says. "Children who go abroad must be educated in Nepal. If two lakh rupees come monthly from abroad, after deducting 50 thousand for expenses, the rest should be invested in the productive sector. If this can be done, those who return after being unable to work abroad can do something in their own country with the increased money from investment."

Timilsina speaks hopeful words, not despair, when visiting every village. He shares the progress made in the country so far with the voters, rather than saying nothing has happened. It appears he is trying to win voters' support by clearly stating small and detailed matters instead of making grand promises.

However, winning the election does not look easy for Timilsina. There is a challenge as former minister and popular young leader Padam Giri of UML is also contesting this time. Arjunprasad Joshi of Congress and Sagar Bhusal of RSP are in the electoral field. In the previous election, Giri of UML won with 29,872 votes. His closest rival, Joshi of Congress, received 27,609 votes. Jalbahadur Purja Pun of RSP received 4,173 votes.