DOTI/DADELDHURA, Nov 16: Since decades, Doti and Dadeldhura have been known as the 'traditional strongholds' of Nepali Congress (NC). In comparison to other districts of the far-western region, these two districts hold high position in terms of political awareness and development. A majority of locals in these districts turned into NC supporters since the legislative elections of 1959. NC has been successful in bagging astonishing victory in several elections. However, there were times when the party had to lose its stronghold due to the treachery of its own members.
In the first Constituent Assembly (CA) elections after the decade-long People's War, NC had to face defeat in both the constituencies of Doti under proportional representation (PR) category. At that time, a large number of leaders and cadres of NC had expressed their disappointment toward the distribution of tickets. Bir Bahadur Balayar, then-candidate in constituency-1, was popular as a student leader but was not well known among the locals living in various parts of the district. Some of the cadres even vented their ire saying only 'Balayar(s) are given tickets for polls as Bhakta Bahadur Balayar had been elected thrice in the past elections.
Power tussle deepens within ruling left parties
Similarly, Siddharaj Ojha who was elected thrice from constituency-2 was drawn criticism from the locals as well as cadres for failing to utilize his position and power for the welfare of people. Most of the candidates opposed the decision of the party to field these candidates while some remained neutral. As a result, NC lost both of the constituencies.
In 2013, Balayar was appointed as the district chairperson of NC. His active political career earned him a good recognition among the locals by then. In the elections of 2013, he earned victory in constituency -1 by majority of votes. However, intra-party tussle and treachery resulted in their defeat in constituency -2 again. A large number of cadres were furious when the party fielded former district chairperson of NC Yogendra Bahadur Shahi in constituency -2. Yagya Raj Pathak, another former district chief of NC was not ready to accept Shahi's candidacy at all. He too filed for his candidacy and started plotting against Shahi. As a result, NC lost all over again.
In the recently held local elections too, internal tussles and treachery of some cadres and leaders caused NC to lose six out of nine local units in Doti. Despite numerous attempts by heavyweight leaders to mend the relationships of party members, internal disputes were widely noticeable in the local elections. Disputes between the democrats gave advantage to communists in Dadeldhura too as NC emerged victorious only in four out of seven local units.
Surprisingly, this time the candidates, leaders and cadres of NC in both the districts are not found repeating their mistakes as in the past. The recently forged alliance between the left parties has played a pivotal role in uniting the NC. Almost all the cadres have been satisfied with the distribution of ticket. As per the analysis of the cadres, there are fewer chances of betrayals and treachery for the provincial and parliamentary elections as NC has wisely chosen candidates this time.
