While there are 18 candidates from 18 political parties in the election fray, tough competition is likely between the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML. The district has only one constituency. [break]
NC candidate Tulasi Subba is currently running door-to-door campaign in the district. When asked whether CPN-UML is his arch-rival, Subba said UML does not pose him any threat. “NC will emerge victorious in the upcoming CA polls as majority of the people are against federalism.”
He also claimed that the UML has lost ground in the district after Ashok Rai quit the party to form Federal Socialist Party (FSP). Several UML district leaders have joined FSP since.
NC candidate Tulasi Subba (Republica)
CPN-UML candidate Bhawani Prasad Khapung says that the previous CA failed to draft a new constitution as his party did not have a majority. “UML must win if the constitution is to be written,” he said.
He pins hope on a good organizational hold, educated and loyal cadres in the district. Khapung has previously served as VDC chairman and the headmaster of a high school. He is currently running door-to-door campaign in Jirikhimti VDC of the constituency.
CPN-UML candidate Bhawani Prasad Khapung (Republica)
Likewise, UCPN-Maoist candidate Durga Prasad Chapagain is busy running door-to-door campaign in the southern part of the district. Chapagain said his party will win the upcoming election as his party favors ethnic-based federalism and is committed to the development of the constituency. He further said that he is a youth leader and around 70 percent youths in the constituency favor him.
Influential district leaders including NC district party treasurer Bijaya Sambahamphe, NC district leader Lekhdhwaj Tumbahamphe and central president of Limbu Sangh have recently joined the UCPN (Maoist). NC will fare badly this time around, claimed Chapagain.
UCPN (Maoist) candidate Durga Prasad Chapagain (Republica)
Political analyst Santosh Gautam opines that the people in general in the constituency are not excited about the upcoming CA elections as the previous CA failed to produce a new constitution.
“The NC defeated the UML by 3,737 votes in the previous CA elections,” said Gautam.
Besides, Subba had garnered 12, 867 votes even when he fought as an independent candidate in the general election of 2051 BS. With the highest number of votes obtained in the erstwhile CA polls, Subba is an influential leader and has a strong chance to turn the tables in NC´s favor.
Former lawmaker Bijaya Subba, who joined the newly formed FSP, maintains that his party only has competition with the UCPN (Maoist). He, however, does not refute that NC has an equally strong presence in the district.
While the candidates are peddling populist slogans, Chahakman Limbu of Ambung VDC-5, says, “The people of Tehrathum are in dire need of employment, roads and electricity rather than populist slogans.”
In the first CA election held in 2008, NC had emerged victorious with 19,113 votes, while CPN-UML had secured 15,376 votes and UCPN (Maoist) 9,193 votes.
Likewise, under proportional representation system, NC had secured 16,545 votes, CPN-UML 14, 493 and UCPN (Maoist) 9,903 votes, according to District Election Officer Damaru Ballav Baral.
Around 45 percent of the voters in the district and eight of the election candidates are from the Limbu community, said Assistant CDO Gunaraj Pokharel.
Tehrathum District, with Myanglung as its district headquarters, covers an area of 679 sq km and has a population of 113,111, according to the 2001 census.
The district has been divided into 32 VDCs with 52 polling stations and 82 polling centers.
Map of Tehrathum District (www.kurumbang.com)
Tulsi Subba from the NC, Bhawani Prasad Khapung from the CPN-UML, Durga Prasad Chapagain from the UCPN (Maoist), Kapil Dev Singak from the FSP, Jhamak Bahadur Karki from Khas Samabesi Rastriya Party-Nepal, Krishna Narayan Dhungana from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Yam Nath Dahal from CPN-ML, Ganga Bahadur Chongbang from Mangol National Organization, Surya Man Limbu from Limbuwan Mukti Morcha are contesting from the constituency of Tehrathum district.
Also contesting from the constituency are Gauri Prasad Kandangwa from Nepal Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Purna Bahadur Bhandari from Janamorcha Nepal, Ram Kaji Thapa from Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic) , Tanka Nath Khanal from Nepal Pariwar Dal, Bishnu Kumar Thamden from Rastriya Janashakti Party, Mitra Prasad Bhattarai from Rastriya Swabhiman Party, Umesh Kumar Sitaula from Nepal Rastriya Bikash Party , Komal Kumari Dhakal from Rastriya Janamorcha, Debendra Limbu from Nepal Communist Party.
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