Nepali Congress Lumbini Province Chief Amar Singh Pun Discusses Election Strategy and Local Agendas

Butwal. Amar Singh Pun, the President of the Nepali Congress Lumbini Province, is contesting as a candidate for the House of Representatives from Banke Constituency No. 3. Here is an edited excerpt from a brief conversation with Chairman Pun regarding the Nepali Congress's election activities in Lumbini Province, the agenda to be presented to voters, the experience of the past coalition, the feeling of contesting alone this time, and the main competing parties in the province.

How are the election campaigns progressing in Lumbini Province?
Candidates in all 26 constituencies of the Nepali Congress Lumbini Province are currently active in door-to-door campaigning. Publicity and other election activities are also moving at a fast pace. Along with the party's central manifesto, candidates in the constituencies are reaching out to voters with their respective manifestos. Congress workers have enthusiastically reached the doorsteps of the voters.

An election mobilization committee has been formed in the province under the leadership of the party's Vice President Raju Khanal, which includes Treasurer Prakash Rana and other office bearers. District and constituency-level committees are also active. Leaders and workers have taken the Congress manifesto to every locality, indicating that Congress is genuinely engaged in the election.

What will be your role in ensuring the party wins in other constituencies since you are a candidate yourself?
Yes, I am the candidate for Banke Constituency No. 3. Other office bearers of the Nepali Congress are also candidates. We, who are in the Provincial Committee, are primarily required to be active in our respective areas, while friends who are not candidates are helping other candidates. We are in regular contact with the Provincial Election Mobilization Committee we formed. If any difficulty arises, necessary instructions and cooperation are being provided to resolve the issues. To increase both the direct and proportional votes for the party, manifestos have been prepared for each constituency, and candidates have prepared their own constituency-specific manifestos as needed. Although I am the candidate for Banke Constituency No. 3, we have scheduled a program for the Party President (Gagan Thapa) on the 14th, targeting all three constituencies of Banke district and Bardiya district. Gagan Thapa's presence at that program will further boost the enthusiasm of the workers here and attract other voters.

In my capacity as the Provincial President, I continue to maintain regular contact with candidates and election committee coordinators in all 26 constituencies and discuss necessary strategy formulation. Therefore, as the Provincial President, I have not refrained from supporting any constituency's candidate or providing other necessary assistance.

What kind of feedback are you receiving from voters as the Nepali Congress goes into the election having 'changed'?

Yes, the Nepali Congress has changed. The party, led by the young leader Gagan Thapa as President, has also issued a good manifesto. The enthusiasm among the workers due to the changed Congress is unprecedented in history. On the other hand, the party's manifesto is equally good. The change in Congress has brought new hope to the country. The Nepali Congress has many good deeds in its history. Currently, there is a need to address the demands of the Gen Z generation, as shown by the movement in the month of Bhadra. These demands are largely focused on the Nepali Congress playing a significant role in establishing good governance in the country.

There is enthusiasm for Congress in every village now. Workers have high hopes and expectations from the changed Congress. Voters also believe that the Nepali Congress, which has transformed, is the one to build the nation now. Currently, Chairman Gagan Thapa is seen as a beacon of hope for the country. The Nepali Congress has improved significantly in terms of organization. This election is not like the regular elections held every 5-6 years; it is taking place under special circumstances. Past elections were somewhat linked to policy and development, but this election has come at a time when the system itself is being questioned. There is a need to protect the constitution, the fundamental rights of Nepali citizens, and improve good governance. The Nepali Congress understands that the way we have been managing administrative work is not sustainable and needs modification.

The Nepali Congress can improve citizen services; other parties cannot. Congress is the one capable of what has been done in the past, what is happening in the present, and what can be done in the future. Therefore, the Nepali Congress is changing not just its organizational structure but aiming to change the country. Workers and voters understand this direction. We have received very positive feedback that with the change in Congress, the country will change.

Why should voters vote for Nepali Congress candidates in this election?

The Nepali Congress has made a significant contribution to democracy in the country. The history of Congress is unique. The Nepali Congress is necessary for protecting citizens' rights and developing the nation. On the other hand, there was damage worth billions during the Gen Z movement in Bhadra. There is suspicion that cadres from parties claiming to 'build the nation' infiltrated that Gen Z movement. Many of our documents and historical records were burned there, including Supreme Court documents, citizenship papers, and land ownership deeds. Therefore, citizens must remain vigilant against those parties that engage in anarchy and vandalism for their own benefit.

Currently, the competition is between those who spread anarchy and those who claim to build the nation. It is an election between those who want to sink the country, those who bring instability, those who favor dictatorship over democracy, and the democratic parties. One must vote for Congress to save the country from authoritarianism and protect democracy. In this complex situation, one must vote for the Nepali Congress to stop those who seek to become authoritarian. One must vote for the Nepali Congress to make the country prosperous. Voting for a Congress candidate means standing with the force that saves the nation and protects democracy. The force that claims 'only we are right and everyone else is wrong' is trying to proliferate, and that must be stopped.

Which party is the main competitor for the Nepali Congress in Lumbini Province?

The Nepali Congress is in either the first or second position in all 26 constituencies in Lumbini Province. Therefore, we are trying to come first in all constituencies. Our competitor, seen on social media, is Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), but on the ground, the competing party for the Nepali Congress is UML. RSP's presence on the ground is weaker than what appears on social media, while UML has historically been a competitor, and our competition on the ground, rather than on social media, is with UML.

In the previous election in Lumbini Province, the Nepali Congress secured only 6 seats through an alliance; how many are projected this time?

Yes, in the 2079 election, we contested in an alliance with the then Maoist party. At that time, some constituencies did not have our candidates; they had candidates from the alliance partners. As a result, we secured 6 seats in direct elections and received good votes in proportional representation. The Nepali Congress organization across the province is strong and dynamic. We have fielded candidates in all constituencies this time. I can proudly say that none of our candidates are weak in any constituency.

We currently see ourselves in the first or second position everywhere. Furthermore, the Nepali Congress has changed. There is such enthusiasm among the workers for the changed Congress, and it has become a party that attracts more voters. Therefore, we will secure at least double the seats we won previously. While we cannot specify the exact number now, we will get at least double the seats compared to the past. We will strive to be the largest party in the province, and if not, no one can stop us from being second. The Nepali Congress is in much better shape and greater enthusiasm than before. Voters are also excited to vote accordingly. The situation for Congress is good nationwide as well. The Nepali Congress understands the constitution, so it will also secure a majority in the country. Just as the Nepali Congress will be the first party in Lumbini Province, it will be the first nationwide.

You are the candidate for Banke Constituency No. 3. What are the agendas here?

My agenda will focus on education, health, and job creation as mentioned in the Nepali Congress manifesto. Additionally, there are separate issues in this constituency. Specifically, the problem of irrigation, which is directly linked to the farmers. If farmers are managed properly, this area is one where production can be abundant, and proper management can be done for the marketing alongside increasing farmers' production.

Policy-level issues concerning the border areas, which exist from Mechi to Mahakali, need to be resolved. A problem in this constituency is that banks do not evaluate land in the border areas, preventing it from being used as collateral; this needs to be resolved. Also, road upgradation is necessary in my constituency.

In some places, there are issues with suitable drinking water and bridges, while my constituency faces a problem with wildlife. In some instances, local citizens have lost their lives due to unprovoked wildlife attacks. Damage to farmers' crops is a given. Incomplete projects need to be finished. Tourism also holds significant potential. The Cancer Hospital in Banke needs further systematic improvement. Along with that hospital, the Cotton Company located in this area also needs to be managed. Since the central office of the Cotton Company is here, it needs to be linked with the farmers.

New plans must be introduced to connect and encourage farmers in cotton cultivation, and the Cotton Company needs to be managed and its market expanded. Furthermore, the issue of irregular settlers who have resided here for a long time needs to be managed.

My agendas primarily involve completing ongoing physical construction projects and introducing new plans in education, health, roads, irrigation, and tourism sectors that benefit the local people. These agendas are not just for Constituency No. 3 but also include some that will benefit the citizens of Banke district as a whole.

What are your grounds for winning?

Banke Constituency No. 3 is a constituency where the Congress organization is strong. The Nepali Congress won this area in the 2079 election as well. When I go into the field now, I receive immense affection from Congress workers and voters. This is due to my good conduct with the workers here and everyone else, as I am the Congress Provincial President. The workers here are aware that I have always worked by keeping the nation and the citizens at the center, rather than keeping myself at the center. The people here know this, so they will vote for me.

With my background in local government, as Provincial President, in the provincial government by relation, and if I win here and go to the center, I will be able to communicate with the federal government, provincial government, local government, and citizens. In that sense, having the stature to coordinate across four levels, including civil society, will make it easier to solve the problems here. I can coordinate. On the other hand, I can advance development projects linked to Banke Constituency No. 3 that also connect to the district and another province. Voting for the Nepali Congress now is more special than on other occasions. Therefore, the voters here will vote for me to protect democracy and defeat the elements working in an authoritarian style. All citizens here have the capacity to vote for those who build the nation. Therefore, they have deemed me the capable candidate.