Parliamentary and provincial elections are just few days away. One of the heated election campaign is presently underway in Dhanusha where some of the big names in Madhes politics are contending for parliamentary seats with all their might. Suresh Yadav of Republica recently talked with these candidates centering on their election agenda. Excerpts:
Matrika Prasad Yadav,
Parliamentary candidate -1
CPN (Maoist Center)
There has been a consistent struggle in the country since it adopted multi party democracy. Sometimes these struggles go higher and sometimes they simmer down. It is time that issues that trigger these struggles are fixed. The country has never been able to accelerate development as expected no matter how much blood people shed for it. My candidacy is to help bring the real change. I am very much serious about the constitution amendment. People in Madhes expect that. Besides that, there are developmental issues. I envision agriculture and tourism as the main pillars to develop Madhes. I am sure that I will win in this election because people know me very well. I have a clean image.
Ananda Prasad Dhungana,
Parliamentary candidate - 1
Nepali Congress
My candidacy is to strengthen democratic force against the rising left alliance. I believe that democratic force has to be stronger in order to secure the future of the country. If we fall weak, the country is sure to meet an accident. Another agenda of mine is developing the agricultural sector. We need to be an agricultural country in the real sense by adopting modern farming technologies and improving our production capacity. I feel that voters will support me in the election as massively as they did in the past.
Deepak Karki,
Parliamentary candidate - 1
Sanghiya Forum
The alliance of Madhes party has chosen me for contesting this election. My first agenda is constitution amendment. This is the prime voice of Madhes. Along with that, I will be focusing on other developmental issues such as irrigation canals, easy availability of seeds, fertilizer and so on. Farmers must get easy loan. I also envision making Dhanusha a center of religious tourism and let it known on the international arena. During my decades of political experience, I had the opportunity to understand the people of Madhes very well. I know that they will favor me in the election.
Constitution amendment main agenda of RJP-N: Mahato
Ram Chandra Jha,
Parliamentary candidate - 2
CPN (Maoist Center)
My candidacy is to take this left alliance forward and to exert pressure for amending the constitution. There are flaws in the constitution that needs to be corrected for making it acceptable to all. Apart from that, my priorities are infrastructural development of Dhanusha and this region. We got to work in the sector of education, health, agriculture, tourism and employment. I do not feel much threat of losing the election to any of my contenders. However, election campaign has not been satisfactory.
Ram Krishna Yadav,
Parliamentary candidate - 2
Nepali Congress
My candidacy is to end the long-standing transition phase in the country. We have had enough of restlessness and conflict. Now is the time to settle it. We need to look forward and move forward in terms of development. We are in need of massive development. Roads, bridges, dams etc have to be constructed. If we could put in the needed efforts in agricultural development, our youths need not go abroad. They won’t have to work in gulf countries. I have been elected by the voters earlier also I they will massively support me this time as well.
Uma Shankar Argariya,
Parliamentary candidate - 2
Sanghiya Forum
My aim is to ensure development and prosperity in Madhes. This message is loud and clear. I believe that locals will be electing me in the election with clear difference of vote because of my focus on these agenda. They are looking for clean person who does not only make promise but also fulfills it. I am very much committed to amending constitution. Without it, Madhesi people won’t be embracing the constitution. Apart from that, I will be working towards ending corruption because the country is poor and underdeveloped only because of unchecked corruption.
Ram Singh Yadav
Parliamentary candidate - 3
CPN (Maoist Center)
We have seen great political changes in the country in the last few years. Still there is chaos and confusion in institutionalizing those achievements. My candidacy aims to institutionalize those achievements and to implement the constitution. My major agendas include - stable government, development and employment. When we will have a stable government, other things will fall in place itself. This place has desired for a real leadership, which will work like their servant and not like their king. They have seen that kind of humble and promising face in me. I believe that people will vote for me overwhelmingly. And if I get elected I am going to deliver my promises.
Bimalendra Nidhi,
Parliamentary candidate - 3
Nepali Congress
My candidacy aims to institutionalize the federal democratic republic order in the country. During my earlier tenure, I remarkably contributed for the development of this city. People know that I am committed to the people of Madhes. Securing their rights and space is my primary agenda. Besides that, I have lots of plans and projects for the development of Janakpur and other areas. In the past, I have implemented many projects for developing this area, and I am sure the voters will vote for me this time, too.
Rajendra Mahato,
Parliamentary candidate - 3
RJP Nepal
My dream is to make Janakpur one of the best cities in the world. This is what the people here have expected from me. The neglected, suppressed, marginalized people of Madhes do not trust other leaders that easily. But they have close connection with me. This bonding is outstanding. I have strong faith that they will choose me in the election. However, rival candidates have tagged me as a tourist candidate my contribution for Madhes politics is known to all and I am confident that it will win the elections.
Raghubir Mahaseth,
Parliamentary candidate - 4
CPN-UML
My candidacy is for making the dream of ‘Apan Madhes, Sampanna Madhes’ a reality. People’s dream is my dream and I will do whatever is in my hand for the development and prosperity of this place. Madhes wants the government to amend the constitution to incorporate the aspiration of the people of Madhes. I am serious about it too. I am committed for justice, peace and harmony. Reopening of Janakpur Cigarette Factory, enlisting the Janaki Temple as a world heritage sites, connecting internal roads with the main highway and so on are my development plans for this area.
Mahendra Yadav,
Parliamentary candidate - 4
Nepali Congress
My candidacy aims to strengthen the federal republic constitution. The victory of people, the victory of democracy is my dream. I will try to play strong role in amending the constitution as desired by the people of Madhes. Apart from that, I will be focusing on opening a medical college, generating employment and implementing infrastructural development projects that Dhanusha needs. I am not new to this place. People have seen my work even before. They know who is going to work and who make tall promises. I am sure that they will definitely elect me this time as well.
Mahajan Yadav,
Parliamentary candidate - 4
Sanghiya Forum
People have not forgotten the Madhes movement. They are still waiting for justice. My candidacy aims to deliver the expectation of people from the state by pressing for constitution amendment. Once such political issues are addressed, a new era of development and prosperity would usher in Madhes. For developing Dhanusha I will be focusing on developing education, health, physical infrastructure, and agriculture sector. My rival candidates have been spending lavishly in the election campaign though they do not have any concrete agenda. But, people can sense who is right and who is wrong. I have faith that they will choose the best one.
