Shivraj Bhatta Appointed Minister in Sudurpashchim Province Government

Dhangadhi. Shivraj Bhatta, who has taken on ministerial responsibilities for the second time in the Sudurpashchim Province government, is currently in the spotlight. Nepali Congress leader Bhatta, elected from Baitadi, has been assigned the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment. Active in politics for five decades, Bhatta was elected from Baitadi Constituency No. 1, Provincial Assembly (2). He became a minister in the Sudurpashchim government for the second time on Monday.

Bhatta was born in Dehimadau, Ward No. 2 of the current Dasharathchand Municipality in Baitadi. His family is considered politically conscious and educated. Since his father also believed in politics, it helped lay the foundation for political culture within the home for Bhatta from a young age.

His elder brother is a major construction entrepreneur, while he himself holds a bachelor's degree in law and a master's degree in economics. Among his brothers, one is a doctor and the other is an engineer. However, Bhatta decided to dedicate his life to social service and politics.

Bhatta's political journey began in 2028 BS. He stepped into politics by taking membership in the Nepal Students Union (NSU) while studying in high school. He became actively involved in Nepali Congress politics from 2035 BS.

Bhatta worked on the front lines during the 2036 BS referendum, the 2042 BS Satyagraha, and the historic 2046 BS People's Movement. He has made significant contributions to expanding the Nepali Congress organization in Baitadi district. He served as the party's district president for two terms and, after serving as a Mahasamiti member and provincial assembly member, he has now become a minister for the second time. Previously, he also held the responsibility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law of Sudurpashchim for 6-7 months.

His sources of political inspiration are the principles of BP Koirala and the leadership of Sher Bahadur Deuba. Influenced by reading BP Koirala's 'Shubha-Labh' magazine while studying in India, Bhatta also had the opportunity to meet BP in person. He has been working closely with Sher Bahadur Deuba since 2028 BS.

Bhatta understands well that success is not always guaranteed in politics. He was defeated in the 2054 BS local elections due to an alliance between RPP and UML. He was also unsuccessful in the 2064 BS Constituent Assembly elections. Without being discouraged by defeat, he continued to work on building the organization. He secured his place in the Sudurpashchim government by winning the provincial assembly election in 2079 BS.

Currently, Bhatta has received the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment at a time when the ministry has been dragged into some controversies. He has taken office amidst some allegations against the Chief Minister and some old disputes within the ministry.

‘Controversy is a normal thing; moving forward by resolving it is real politics. Politics is not a means to run away from problems, but a medium to find solutions. I will try to get to the bottom of all these disputes and resolve them,’ he said.

Sudurpashchim Province is rich in tourism and natural resources. Minister Bhatta has prioritized the announcement made by the central government to organize trekking routes in the main tourist areas of Sudurpashchim.

‘I have just arrived at the ministry and am studying the situation,’ he said, ‘I have a plan to move forward by addressing the possibilities in the forest, environment, and industrial sectors of Sudurpashchim through policy. I will work in a way that the public can feel the impact while fully implementing the policies and programs of the Government of Nepal.’

Bhatta stated that he is not a minister of just one party but of all the people of Sudurpashchim. He said that regardless of whether one has faith in the UML, Congress, independent, or any other party, he intends to move forward by including everyone in the interest of the province.