KATHMANDU, September 3: While the rest of Province 2 is still recovering from the recent devastating floods, Birgunj has remained an exception as the city gears up for the local election which is just around the corner. Vehicles are seen bedecked with party flags and poll candidates. The streets, as well as every square and corner of the city, has grown noisier with loud speakers of party cadres seeking votes for their candidates. 

No doubt, Birgunj, Nepal's biggest trading point with India and the only metropolitan city in Province 2, is a seat that every party would like to win. Winning in Birgunj is the surest way to hold sway on the political, social and economic spheres of the province. 

But it is not the only reason why the city stands out when it comes to poll campaigns. 
The city's proximity to other districts of Province 2 including Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi also makes it strategically important. Both major parties and the regional Madhes-based parties have made Birgunj their base for brainstorming about poll strategies, selecting candidates and negotiating alliance. On Saturday, CPN (Maoist Center) held the party's central secretariat meeting in Birgunj to hash out strategies for the polls. 

Last week, more than a dozen leaders of CPN-UML including the party's acting chairman Bamdev Gautam gathered in Birgunj to finalize the list of the candidates and make overall poll strategies. UML on Saturday officially announced Basuriddin Ansari and Sophia Acharya as their mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates for Birgunj.  

Leaders of major parties said that the flood was also one important reason why the parties were focusing more on Birgunj. Much of the Province 2 is still recovering from the floods that claimed over 150 lives and displaced millions of people. Birgunj is one of the least affected places. 

"We are keeping campaign to low key as much of the Province 2 is still recovering from the devastating impact of floods. But we have also been campaigning elsewhere, albeit quietly," said CPN (Maoist Center) spokesperson Pampha Bhusal.  

Hostilities faced by major parties, especially the UML, in another important city Janakpur are also the reason why parties are stationed in Birgunj to mobilize their poll campaign. Last week, supporters of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) had tried to foil poll campaign of UML by hurling stones at a rally. 

Unlike other parties, RJPN has been focusing on Janakpur more than Birgunj due to huge public support the party enjoys there. 

RJPN leader Shiva Shankar Sah said that the party was putting extra efforts in Janakpur after internal calculation. 

"We have strong chance of winning in Janakpur if the party finalizes the candidate without further delay," said Sah, one of the several frontrunners for the party's mayoral candidate in Janakpur. 

Though Birgunj was at the center of the five-month-long Indian blockade, all parties irrespective of their position on the constitution amendment have considerable support base in Birgunj. 
  

 
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