Rastriya Swatantra Party Candidate Ganesh Karki Discusses Campaign Strategy in Morang-3

The fervor for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21 is escalating across the country. Political parties and candidates are reaching out to voters' doorsteps, presenting their agendas and commitments while seeking votes.

In this context, the Ratopati on-site reporting team visited Morang Electoral Constituency No. 3. Representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) for the House of Representatives seat in this constituency, Ganesh Karki is in the electoral arena. Karki, who lacks any prior political or family background but has always been vocal on various societal ills and issues, is campaigning this time with the 'Bell' election symbol.

How confident is he of his victory? What are his main agendas? And how does he view his competitors, considered 'heavyweights'? The interview focusing on these contemporary issues with candidate Ganesh Karki is presented here:

• What are you telling the people to ask for their votes?

We are asking for votes by promising change, good governance, development, and by making local problems national issues to seek policy-level solutions. Furthermore, we are also pledging to initiate practical solutions.

• Your competitors have served multiple times as ministers and parliamentarians. They claim to have accomplished many things that people have witnessed. You don't have a basis to ask for votes like 'I did this, I did that in the past!' Doesn't this cause you a problem?

No, those claims are hollow. If those claims were true, this place would not be in its current state. The issues here would not be so disorganized. Those who went everywhere saying 'I will fulfill it' have reached their positions, but the issues remain the same. Even now, those same issues are repeated in their manifestos and declarations. Claiming 'we have done this much' without fulfilling what was stated in previous manifestos is just empty talk. People no longer believe those talks.

• If people doubt your promises, thinking they might be like the unfulfilled pledges in their previous manifestos, what would you say?

Yes, people have that suspicion. It is natural for the general voter to feel that 'all monks who come are the same' (meaning all politicians are the same). However, that suspicion is not directed at us specifically. The old parties and leaders have left this place in such a dire state, shown such negligence, and failed to take responsibility that its impact has fallen upon us too.

Therefore, that complaint and suspicion are entirely justified. But now, we have to prove ourselves through action. For us, the position of a Member of Parliament is certainly not a vessel to receive rewards saying 'I have done so much work, now reward me.' Nor is it for saying 'I have done a lot, now put me aside.' Thus, regarding the potential to work, I make the strongest claim among the 18 candidates in this constituency.

• It is being estimated that the competition will be fiercer among the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and Rastriya Swatantra Party. Among them, it is said that competing against the Congress candidate Sunil Sharma presents a significant challenge. What do you say?

This challenge might be felt more by people outside the constituency, as there is a manufactured narrative outside that 'everyone here gets sick, and as soon as they fall ill, they immediately receive free treatment.' But the reality is not like that. Even to get a discount on treatment here, a recommendation from a Congress worker or leader is necessary. Only after a patient sells their dignity by taking a photo do they receive some concession. Furthermore, people are starting to compare bills with other hospitals, questioning what is in the bill. Citizens are beginning to understand how much the same service costs in other hospitals. Was the bill inflated beforehand just to show a discount, or is it merely claiming the benefits available through insurance? People are starting to ask these questions themselves, and surely, they will get answers.

For me, all competitors are equal.

• Balen Shah is contesting near you in Jhapa 5. There is talk that you are winning not based on your own capability but because you are Balen's friend. What is your own background?

It is a matter of pride for me to be called Balen's friend or to win because of him. Being close to a person who has positively influenced people towards change, shown hope, and possesses the capacity to achieve something is a source of pride.

However, regarding my character, when the close friend became the Mayor of Kathmandu, managing a budget of 25 billion and overseeing over 1800 positions, did Ganesh Karki take any position of profit by virtue of being his friend? Never. This example is sufficient to understand the character and proximity of Ganesh Karki. What I can do is made clear by this very fact.

• What is your own political or social background?

I have no political or family background. But I am certainly not someone without educational qualifications or who has done nothing in society. I have completed postgraduate studies and am doing well in my business. I write, I read, I ask questions, and I demand answers. This too is a contribution to democracy and society.

But what happened is that those who have been involved in politics since their student days and within organizations have utterly failed to meet public expectations. They have halted time itself. Therefore, youth like us, without political legacy, living average lives engaged in farming, must enter politics. This is not just our desire, but a compulsion. This compulsion has been created by the old parties and their character.

The issues we champion are those concerning the land here, unmanaged settlements, lack of employment, and the issue of youth returning in wooden boxes from abroad. I possess the capability to question such irregularities.

• When listening to RSP candidates, it sounds as if they claim to solve all problems overnight with a magic wand once they enter government. Is this possible?

We have never claimed to fix everything with a magic wand. In my commitment paper, I have clearly written that if I become a Member of Parliament, I will not boast about 'I secured this much budget,' like a ward chairman or minister. Our party says the same thing.

Our main responsibility is policy formulation. It is to monitor whether those policies are being implemented and to seek accountability. For instance, a 20 million NPR view tower stands behind us, yet the local people cannot get drinking water without 40 lakhs. We have come to end such unjust allocation of budget and influence.

• It is said that there are factions within RSP led by two senior leaders and the party chairman. The fact that they were not seen together at programs in Jhapa and Itahari led to speculation about poor relations?

We are all RSP candidates; there is no factionalism. There is no dispute within the party as rumored outside. Just a few days ago, when the party chairman concluded his eastern campaign and arrived in Pathari, he embraced me, we ate together, and traveled to Itahari in the same vehicle. In Itahari, the chairman and I went to the same room where Balen Shah was staying.

We have a familial relationship like brothers. The rumors about not meeting or sitting together are just spread due to electoral strategies when viewed from the outside.

• People are also questioning why they should vote for someone accused of setting the country on fire and burning down Singha Durbar?

These questions are not being asked by the people. These are questions raised by those who want to protect corruption and those nurtured by it. The people are demanding evidence. Where was Ganesh Karki at the place where the fire was set? In the photos or videos taken by thousands of people, I should appear somewhere! My pictures have been manipulated using AI to spread slander.

The main question is not who started the fire; the question should be why were citizens shot at. Those incidents occurred as a reaction after the suppression of citizens who peacefully protested demanding good governance and investigation into corruption. Questions must be raised about the intent to shoot at citizens who were demanding the restoration of their dignity.

• In the previous election, the winner here secured 49,000 votes. You have no organization and no old legacy. Where will you get the votes to win?

There are a total of 158,057 voters here. It is estimated that around 115,000 votes will be cast. The Congress candidate won last time with 49,000 votes due to the alliance of three parties. Votes were cast that way because there was no other option then. However, looking at the proportional representation votes, Nepali Congress received 29,000 and we received 14,400 votes. The difference between victory and defeat is about 15,000 votes, and Ganesh Karki is fully capable of capturing those votes.

• So, who is your closest competitor in Constituency No. 3?

The general public will decide who the closest competitor is. Looking at the past, someone who lost once can win the next time, and someone who won can lose. Therefore, rather than who loses, what matters is who wins and which issues win. It is not just Ganesh Karki who wins; the policy changes and good governance issues I raise will win. I will be the candidate for those who do not vote for me, so this victory will belong to the entire society.

• Can you commit that you will fulfill all the promises you have made when you come for the next election?

We will fulfill all the promises we have made. If, for any reason, we cannot fulfill them, we will transparently inform the citizens of the exact reasons. I am a candidate from Morang Constituency No. 3 who informs voters in advance, saying, 'I will be coming to your locality on this date; please prepare your constructive questions without using abuse or foul language.'

Which other party's candidate is preparing themselves like this to listen to the citizens' questions? Going secretly and saying 'I represent you' is just an illusion. Citizens must have the right to question their candidates publicly. I am practicing exactly that transparent approach.