Veteran Politician Sarad Singh Bhandari Seeks Re-election in Mahottari-2 Amidst Voter Fatigue and Development Concerns

Mahottari. Sarad Singh Bhandari is a candidate in Mahottari Constituency-2 this time as well. He is currently affiliated with the Janata Samajbadi Party, Nepal.

Having contested elections continuously for 44 years, he is asking voters for their support this time, claiming it will be his 'last time'. In his electoral journey spanning over four decades, he has only faced defeat twice. He did not participate in the 2048 BS election and was not elected by the people in 2070 BS.

Bhandari, who is now 71, is seeking votes by telling the electorate, 'I didn't even want to contest, the party forced me to run.'

• Voter Grievances

Brajesh Yadav of Mahottari's Loharpatti says, 'Sharat Ji has been coming to ask for votes like this every time, not just this time. He said the same thing in this constituency during the last election too.' Brajesh explains that they voted for him last time because he said it would be his 'last time' as such an old leader.

Sarad Singh has served as a minister 19 times. 'Becoming a minister 19 times is no small feat. If he had done just one job in each term, this constituency and district would have seen 19 developments by now,' says Rameswor Yadav, a voter from the same constituency.

The condition of roads in this constituency remains the same, as do the conditions for agriculture and irrigation. The foundation stones for the Bharpurra-Loharpatti road, Piprari road, Ratauli road, and others were laid more than 7-8 years ago, but they are still not constructed. The condition of the road from Khuta to Tikuliya is even worse. The Jaleshwor-Bardibas road is also dilapidated. 'When traveling on the roads here, it feels like there are no leaders or members of parliament in this area,' Brajesh adds.

Mahottari-2 comprises six local levels, and none of them has a hospital. According to the data from the District Health Office, Mahottari, not only are there no hospitals, but there are also no primary health centers in Ekdara, Mahottari, Balwa, and Bhangaha. Locals depend on health posts for basic care. For further treatment, they are compelled to go to Jaleshwor or directly to Janakpur.

However, Amit Thakur, a leader from JSP Nepal, argues that improvements do not happen overnight. 'First, look at what the condition of Mahottari was, and what it is now. He stated that since Bhandari arrived, paved roads have reached every village, linking the access of vehicles to development.

He also claims significant improvements in health, education, and agriculture. His response was, 'Jaleshwor is adjacent to Mahottari-2, and there are hospitals there. People go there for treatment. A hospital is being built in Balwa. There are health centers and birthing centers. People do not have problems with treatment.'

• 'Bhandari is a Necessity for the Madhes'

Jasar Yadav, a central leader of JSP, Nepal, states that Sarad Singh Bhandari is a necessary leader for the Madhes region. 'Although Bhandari is from the hill community, he is the one who raises the most issues concerning the Madhes,' Jasar claims. 'Since he became an MP and Minister, there has been extensive improvement in Mahottari district; compared to other areas, this area has seen relatively more development.'

He countered, 'If there was no development there, if the people did not trust him, how has he been winning elections for 44 years?'

He suggests that if he had done nothing, people might be fooled once, twice, or thrice, but not repeatedly. 'Sarad Singh Bhandari is a necessary leader, which is why he keeps winning there repeatedly; his victory this time is certain,' he added with exaggeration.

Jasar also confirmed that Bhandari had conveyed his intention not to contest the election to the party. Jasar argues that Bhandari was compelled to contest after the party did not agree to give the ticket to Surita Sah. 'Bhandari did not want to contest the election; he is running because the party directed him,' he said.

• Electoral and Ministerial Journey

Bhandari won the National Panchayat elections in 038 BS and 043 BS. In 043 BS, he first became the Assistant Minister for Panchayat and Local Development in the government led by Marichman Singh Shrestha, the last Prime Minister of the Panchayat system. During the cabinet reshuffle in 044 BS, he became the Minister of State for Commerce. He remained a minister continuously until 046 BS.

He did not participate in the 2048 BS election but contested independently in 051 BS and won. He became a Minister of State in 052 BS, a Minister in 053 BS, and also a Minister in 054 BS. After winning the election from Mahottari in 056 BS, he became a minister again in 058 BS.

When the parliament was reinstated in 2063 BS, Bhandari was a member of parliament. In 064 BS, he won the election again from the then Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal, and served as a minister in 066 and 068 BS. He was dismissed from his post as Defense Minister following a statement he made regarding the collective entry of Madhesis into the army.

In the second Constituent Assembly election held in 2070 BS, he contested from Mahottari-1 and 6, losing in both places.

Subsequently, he secured consecutive victories in the House of Representatives elections held in 074 and 079 BS. He succeeded in becoming a minister in 078, 079, 081, and 082 BS.

• Main Competition Likely with Congress This Time

This time, there are 37 candidates in Mahottari-2, and local journalist Gopal Baral sees a triangular contest here. He estimates a tough competition between Kiran Yadav of the Nepali Congress and Bhandari. Kiran has lost the election twice from this constituency. Baral stated that based on his reporting, the public is seeking change this time because Bhandari has won elections repeatedly.

'Gagan Thapa has helped the Congress organization become stronger, and the inclination of the public is visible,' he said. 'The decisive vote in Mahottari belongs to the Yadav community. But the Yadav vote is also with Bhandari.'

Along with Bhandari, candidates here include Kasif Nadaf from CPN-UML, Laxman Kumar Yadav from Nepal Communist Party (CPN), Deepak Kumar Sah from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Ramlakhan Sah Kanu from RPP, and Jaykumar Pandey from Janamat Party. Deepak is also in the competition here due to the nationwide momentum for RSP, driven by senior leader Balen.

Journalist Baral notes that the issue of generational change is widely discussed in this constituency because Bhandari has been winning elections for a long time. His understanding is that the public in the area complains that the development work has not been enough to win their votes, despite Bhandari having served as a minister 20 times.

In the last election, Bhandari, who contested from Lospa Nepal, received 25,190 votes, while Dr. Vijay Singh Yadav of TMLP came second with 11,120 votes. UML was third and Janamat was fourth. Congress supported Bhandari here, and RSP was third.

In 2074 BS, Bhandari won from here by securing 30,722 votes, while Kiran Yadav of Congress received 13,974 votes.