Rupandehi-2: Key Candidates Campaign Vigorously in Electoral Battleground

Butwal. Candidates are intensely engaged in election campaigning for the House of Representatives election in Rupandehi Constituency Number 2. Former Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel is the candidate from CPN-UML. He was previously elected from this constituency.

Paudel is considered a 'heavyweight' candidate in this constituency. However, the Nepali Congress has also fielded a locally popular face. Chunna Prasad Sharma is the candidate from the Congress here.

In the 079 election, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), an alternative force in this constituency, also received a significant number of votes. At that time, RSP candidate Ganesh Paudel received 25,795 votes. Meanwhile, the elected candidate from UML, Paudel, received 27,165 votes.

In the upcoming election, RSP has nominated Sulabh Kharel as the candidate in this constituency. Due to the wave favoring RSP, it is currently assessed that this party might increase its vote share compared to the previous election. Therefore, RSP is also considered a strong competitor in this area.

The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) has nominated Subhash Pandey as its candidate. In the previous election, the then CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist), which are now part of the CPN, did not field direct candidates here. Looking at their proportional representation votes, the organization of CPN appears weak here.

Wards 1 to 13 of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Wards 1 to 4 of Sainamaina Municipality, and Wards 1 to 6 of Tilottama Municipality fall under this constituency. Although this constituency is advanced in terms of development and construction, issues such as employment for the working class, and land ownership certificates for the unorganized settlers and squatters have taken priority.

Voters here told the Ratopati representative that in the previous elections, almost all candidates campaigned with agendas like distributing land ownership certificates, creating employment opportunities, and developing physical infrastructure. However, they complained that little work had been done in those areas.

Candidates here are currently seeking votes with various agendas. They are prioritizing development, solving the problems of the landless and squatters, and issues concerning unorganized settlements. Many voters openly state that they will stand for change this time, as the old parties have repeatedly made commitments but shown little interest in solving their problems.

CPN-UML Candidate Paudel Campaigns Highlighting Development Works

For CPN-UML candidate Bishnu Prasad Paudel, this constituency and parliamentary elections are not new. Having been elected from here, he has served as the Finance Minister multiple times. He is currently seeking votes from the electorate by showcasing various development projects he initiated in this area.

Responding to Ratopati's query, Paudel stated that significant, epoch-making work has been done in infrastructure development in this constituency and across the entire Rupandehi district in the past. "We have done epoch-making work in the infrastructure sector in this constituency as well as the entire Rupandehi district," he said. "My main agenda now is the effective management of large projects completed in the past and advancing further development works to uplift the standard of living for the residents here."

Paudel also presented his agenda as completing some ongoing projects on time and initiating some additional significant large projects.

Paudel clarified that his agenda also includes arranging quality education so that students in this constituency do not have to go to other parts of the country or abroad for school and higher education. Likewise, he stated that improving the quality of the health sector so that local people do not have to travel outside for medical treatment would be his priority.

He mentioned that he would emphasize the speedy completion of ongoing projects such as the upgradation of the Butwal-Narayanghat road, the Butwal-Gorusinghe road, the Siddhababa tunnel, and the Provincial Hospital and Medical College. He also stated that the process to upgrade the Siddhartha Highway into an expressway would be initiated, and preparations for the Kaligandaki-Tinau Diversion Project would be completed and implemented.

Paudel clarified that his agenda includes arranging quality education so that students in this constituency do not have to go to other parts of the country or abroad for school and higher education. Likewise, he stated that improving the quality of the health sector so that local people do not have to travel outside for medical treatment would be his priority.

"My agenda is the overall development of the IT and tourism sectors from various perspectives such as employment, self-employment, income generation, and production," Paudel said. "My goal is to advance various plans to place this constituency, as well as the entire Rupandehi district, at the forefront of development."

Congress's Sharma Highlights Social Work and Leadership Change

Chunna Prasad Sharma of the Nepali Congress is seeking votes by highlighting the social work he has done in this constituency in the past and the recent leadership change within the party.

He mentioned that there are problems with land ownership certificates for unorganized settlers, as well as issues with drinking water, education, and health in various places. He noted that despite significant tourism potential in this area due to the proximity of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, work has not been done accordingly. He clearly stated the need to vitalize the economic sector.

Sharma stated that proper development has not occurred in sectors like education, employment, health, and tourism. He shared that his main goal and agenda are to make this constituency friendly to women, children, youth, and technology.

RSP's Kharel Showcases the Wave of Change

RSP candidate Sulabh Kharel is seeking votes by highlighting the wave of change sweeping the nation. While observing him for a short while, we found him not speaking much to voters, merely greeting them with folded hands and touring every alley for campaigning.

When Ratopati inquired about his plans, Kharel evaded the question, saying he does not speak to the media.

CPN's Pandey's Agenda: Development and Defense of Achievements

CPN's Subhash Pandey is seeking votes by advocating for safeguarding the constitution, defending the achievements gained from the 2062/063 popular movement, and advancing development works.

Pandey clarified that the CPN, formed by the recent alliance of various parties, will move forward by internalizing the public desire for change.

Pandey stated that he has put forward mainly two agendas. He clarified that the protection of the constitution and a prosperous Rupandehi are his main agendas.

He stated that one must stand firmly in defense of the constitution gained through long struggle and the effectiveness of this system. Discussing the widespread corruption in the country increasing public dissatisfaction, he clarified that the incident of Bhadra 23 and 24 occurred due to the anger generated among the general public because people's representatives failed to raise their voices against such ills, failed to enact laws, or were themselves involved in such activities.

"Everyone understands who caused that," Pandey said. "What is happening after that is a challenge to the nation and nationality." He stated that he would work visibly and firmly on that matter.

Rupandehi district holds immense potential, he noted, emphasizing the need for substantial work for development and prosperity.

Pandey pointed out that Lumbini, listed as a World Heritage Site, and Butwal, a trade hub, fall within this constituency, stating that Butwal, Sainamaina, and Tilottama are all historically significant religious and tourist destinations. "To put it this way, Rupandehi's Constituency No. 2 is an area with vast potential for economic prosperity," he said. "There is potential here from agriculture to industry and business, but due to a lack of vision and implementation plans, it has not materialized."

Pandey argues that past representatives did not think about the development of this area in this regard. Turning these potentials into results is his main priority, he clarified.

Rastriya Janamukti Party is Not Weak Either

In Rupandehi-2, the Rastriya Janamukti Party cannot be underestimated. In the previous election, the party's candidate, Keshav Bahadur Thapa Magar, finished in third place with 22,027 votes. He is the candidate again this time.

He has made the end of discrimination, unemployment, and corruption his main agenda. He argues that a method suitable for Nepal and Nepali society is necessary for the development of the country's economy and the construction of physical infrastructure.