Nepali Congress Candidate Confident of Victory, Pledges Focus on Local Development and Legislation

As the House of Representatives elections draw near, candidates are intensifying their door-to-door canvassing. With the election fervor rising, candidates are competing to win over voters.

In this context, here is an edited excerpt from a field interview conducted by Ratopati with Rajendra Burlakoti, the Nepali Congress candidate for Chitwan Constituency No. 1, who is busy with his door-to-door campaign in his constituency.

• What is the atmosphere of the election campaign like? How many voters have you reached so far?

The election atmosphere is extremely enthusiastic. The goodwill shown by the people has given me extra energy. We have already completed door-to-door programs in most of the 42 wards in my constituency.

We are rapidly reaching the remaining few wards. Wherever we have gone, we have received excellent feedback and positive energy from the voters. The people have committed to standing in favor of change and development.

• You are now in the electoral arena in this constituency, which was won by a different party last time. What are the voters saying? What are your main agendas to attract them?

Voters have clear grievances with the previous MP. Their biggest complaint is that the representatives who won here in the past never looked back. After winning the election, they didn't even have a casual meeting with the voters, let alone develop the village. A situation had even arisen where they were questioned back about why they should be voted for again.

But, my situation is a bit different. I have not come here just to contest the election today. I am someone who has been immersed in this soil for years, residing here, and engaging in social work for a long time. I am always with the people, whether in their happiness or sorrow. Whether it was helping someone with medical treatment issues, dealing with police administration matters, or resolving administrative hurdles like obtaining citizenship or passports—I have always facilitated these things.

I am a local person who is accessible to the people, a neighbor, and someone who helps with every problem. Therefore, the voters have told me that you are the one who understands our troubles and can be helpful, and that they will elect you this time. My agenda is public service and local development.

• Opposing candidates, especially new parties, argue that the MP's job is not to develop the village but to create policies and laws in parliament. What is your plan regarding lawmaking?

There is no doubt that the MP's job is to make laws, but where are laws made? They are not made in the sky. To make laws, one must understand the problems of the people.

My clear stance is that an MP must play a dual role. One role is policy formulation at the center, and the other is the development of their constituency and solving the problems of the people. The people here need development, they need work done in the villages. Simultaneously, they also need laws appropriate to the geography and environment here.

In our area, there is a constant scarcity of fertilizer, seeds, and pesticides for farmers. The risk of floods and landslides is equally high. Even opening a simple drain or gutter is a problem. More seriously, the conflict between humans and wildlife is at an extreme level here.

Wildlife has devastated crops, and human lives are at risk, but effective laws or policies to control this or provide relief to the victims have not yet been made. When I go to parliament, I want to formulate policies that address these local problems. Therefore, I say—we need development, and we also need laws accordingly.

• How do you view the electoral arithmetic? What is your projection for the number of votes you will secure to win?

In my estimation, I will win by securing more than 50,000 votes. There are about 150,000 voters in this constituency. Based on the current trend of the people and my past work, a victory with 50,000-plus votes seems almost certain.

• Who do you consider your main competitor?

To be honest, I do not see any specific competitor right now. Naturally, there are many people in the electoral field, but looking at the wave of public support in my favor, I feel like I am moving ahead alone. Other candidates are similar to each other, but I do not see a situation where my main contest or competition is with any specific individual.

• Finally, what do you want to tell the voters?

The reasons why you should vote for me are clear. Firstly, I am fighting for the defense of democracy and republicanism. Secondly, my candidacy is aimed at eradicating the corruption prevalent in the country and establishing good governance.

We are currently moving forward with the resolve to change the Nepali Congress and build the nation. There is no alternative to the Congress for the economic prosperity, sustainable development, and political stability of this country. Without democracy, the fundamental rights of the people, freedom of expression, and the right to life cannot be secured. To protect all these rights and lead the country on the path to prosperity, it is necessary to vote for me and my party. I am a person who works, not a person who just talks.