MAHOTTARI, Feb 5: The March 5 election to the Member of the House of Representatives (HoR) has engendered an increasing public interest in the electoral constituency 4.
With the nomination of the candidacy, the cadres of the political parties are seen busy wooing the voters here.
The constituency sharing the border with India in the South and Sarlahi district in the west is laggard from a development perspective. Locals here are forced to travel to India for health services.
"If someone falls sick, we have to rush to exchange Indian currency. We are compelled to go to Sitamadhi, India when we turn ill," laments Imitiaz Ahmad, 35, of Samsi Rural Municipality-6.
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In most settlements of Sonma Rural Municipality, Samsi Rural Municipality and Ramgopalpur Municipality, located in the southwest of the district, patients are compelled to go to India since health posts and primary health facilities here do not provide reliable services. Shesh Saurat, 40, from Samsi-6 said. “The issue of people’s health treatment has not received enough importance in elections”.
Residents of Samsi and Sonma face more hardships compared to those in Ramgopalpur, Manrashishwa, and Aurahi, located in the eastern part of the region. Ramkalevar Yadav from Sonma-3 commented.
“There are neither quality hospitals nor a system of quality education. During the rainy season, the Madha and Hardi rivers cause more erosion, and we have to spend the nights on elevated places”, he added.
Farmers here depend on rain-fed agriculture, Madan Saha, a socio-political activist from Sonma-2, mentioned.
“Our village has rivers on both the east and west sides, but there is no irrigation system. Instead of being a blessing, the rivers have become a curse".
Ram Pratap Yadav of Sonama-6 said, "This time we will not trust without a clear plan. The candidates presenting plans with long-term vision from a development perspective will only get our votes".
The constituency has candidates from 13 political parties and 23 independent candidates. Among them seven are women candidates, including four from political parties and three independents.
