Rukum East Election: Prachanda Pledges Development, Opponents Detail Infrastructure and Social Agendas

Rukum East. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', a House of Representatives candidate from Rukum East and Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), has pledged to lead Rukum East towards development and provide a way out of the current national predicament. He stated that while those who push the country into difficult situations and incite conflict are campaigning, the CPN is entering the electoral arena with a resolve to set the country on the right course.

CPN Chairman Dahal, while contesting from Rukum East, has resolved to implement a special economic and infrastructure package to make this district, which is comparatively lagging in terms of development, a leading one. He mentioned that just as the Chunwang meeting in this district showed the country the path to peace during the People's War, Rukum East must now show the country the path to prosperity. Therefore, Chairman Dahal has included in his election manifesto the commitment to work on a package for the development of this district, which will play a key role in advancing the country towards prosperity.

The manifesto mentions efforts to complete the Mid-Hill Highway, which has made Rukum East more accessible, and the Sahid Marg (Thawang, Mahat, Kankri, Tak, Hukam, Maikot, Dule leading to Shahartara-Dolpa) road. It also includes initiatives to complete infrastructure projects such as motorable bridges and suspension bridges for which tenders have been called by the Federal and Provincial Governments within the stipulated time.

Furthermore, it states the plan to complete roads connecting Sani Bheri, Uttarganga, Dhorpatan Corridor, and Dui Khola (Rolpa), Chunwang, Rukumkot, Sisne, and Dolpa, and to bring about a transportation revolution through paved roads connecting the headquarters of the three rural municipalities and connecting all wards. Emphasis is placed on prioritizing and implementing district projects listed in the project bank, along with plans for micro and mega hydropower generation from local rivers and streams, expansion of the central transmission line to every ward, establishment of a grid in the district, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, and implementation of modern and commercial agricultural systems, as mentioned in the manifesto.

The manifesto also outlines plans to promote tourism by conserving heritage sites including the Putha-Sisne mountain range, lakes, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Magar cultural settlements, and historical memories of the People's War. It includes plans for the production, conservation, establishment of processing centers, and market assurance for valuable herbs like Yarsagumba and Panchaunle. Commitments include ensuring 24-hour specialist doctors, necessary equipment, and effective health services at the district hospital; improving the quality of community education; solving the problem of 'fewer students, more schools' through school centralization; and formulating and implementing necessary policies for residential facilities and quality enhancement, along with completing incomplete and ongoing projects initiated by the Federal, Provincial, and Local levels.

Chairman Dahal told the people of Rukum East, which is also the birthplace of the People's War, that this district is not just an electoral constituency for him, but a place of political rebirth and the origin of change. He stated his commitment to concluding the honoring of martyrs, disappeared persons, and injured fighters of the People's War, providing relief and compensation to their families, and ensuring lasting peace by politically and legally resolving conflict-era issues, as a living signatory to the Comprehensive Peace Accord.

Commitments mentioned in the pledge letter include formulating necessary policies and regulations for Rukum East, declared an organic district by Lumbini Province, ensuring certification and market access to bring local produce to city department stores as a 'premium brand', and branding the country's quality Timur (Sichuan pepper), along with marketing apples, oranges, lemons, and other fruits, organic vegetables, and grains.

In this district with a majority Magar population, there is a commitment to attempt the worldwide branding of 'Kham Magar' civilization by declaring a Magar cluster an autonomous region in line with the spirit of the constitution, and to make the district a 'model industrial district' by excavating local iron mines and establishing an herb processing center. It is claimed that the royalty generated from this could place Rukum East among the richest districts in Nepal.

It is also mentioned that protecting the constitution written in blood, further strengthening federalism, and constitutional amendments necessary for the autonomy of Madhesi, Janajati, Dalit, and Magar communities will be a priority.

Kusumdevi Thapa, the candidate from the Nepali Congress, is campaigning with 10 visions for building Rukum East. The commitment letter mentions work on road and infrastructure development, mission employment, education and health, agriculture and natural resources, tourism and culture, drinking water and irrigation.

Commitments to contribute to Rukum East's development through electrification and telecommunication, good governance, role in constitution and law making, and budget coordination were also expressed.

CPN-UML has made special programs for the overall development of the district its electoral agenda, focusing on road transport, education, health, drinking water, irrigation and water resources, information-communication and electrification, enterprise development and job creation, agriculture-forest produce and animal husbandry, preservation of indigenous art-culture and tourism promotion, natural resource management, disaster management, youth and sports, urban development, promotion of good governance, issues of conflict-era sexual violence victims, women empowerment and equality.

CPN-UML candidate Leelamani Gautam has put forward plans including completing the construction of the Mid-Hill Highway, quickly finishing the construction of the Sahid Marg, expanding the road network to Dolpa via Deukhola-Kuma Nayagad-Sisne, constructing the Deukhola-Jama-Triveni-Taksera road, upgrading and blacktopping the Chunwang-Rukumkot road, upgrading the Bhume and Sisne ring roads, and expanding the Sera-Damchan-Dhorpatan road.

Plans mentioned include making the teaching profession dignified with career development for teachers, operating a multi-technical school in Bhume Rural Municipality's Lugum, equipping the campus to be established in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality with resources, upgrading the Kakri Health Post in Bhume Rural Municipality to a Trauma Center for road accidents and emergency patients, providing clean drinking water facilities under the 'One House, One Tap' concept, and upgrading the irrigation system.

In terms of information-communication and electricity, UML has set a goal to expand the central electricity transmission line to all 31 wards of the district, and in terms of enterprise development, to promote youth entrepreneurship and guarantee employment, as well as create employment through agricultural enterprises.

Sandip Pun, candidate from the Prajatantra Democratic Party (Pratantra Loktantrik Party - Prlopa), has put forward policies focusing on road access in remote areas, energy development under public ownership, nature-friendly development in agriculture and forestry, proper utilization of resources in mining and industry, and a youth policy based on production.

The agenda also includes equal opportunities in education, guaranteeing the livelihood of martyr families, preservation of historical war sites and monuments, management of hunting tourism, ensuring tourism income through homestays and local guides, providing employment to youth, and promoting war tourism.

A total of 11 candidates, including Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', are in the electoral field in Rukum East for the election scheduled for Falgun 21. Currently, all candidates are busy wooing voters with their respective commitment letters.