MAHOTTARI, June 29: While the locals of 35 districts of provinces 1, 5 and 7 enthusiastically participated in the second round of local elections, eight districts of Province 2 remained tense due to the banda enforced by poll opposing Rastriya Janata Party Nepal.
Locals of all three provinces were delighted to choose candidates of their choice after voting in the local elections announced in twenty years. As the RJPN announced to boycott the elections before the amendment of the constitution, election was postponed in eight districts of Province 2 for September 18. So, on Wednesday locals of this province were compelled to spend their day in disappointment. There is still uncertainty among the locals about the elections due to the repeated deferral of poll dates. They are doubtful whether they will get opportunity to cast vote in the historic elections at all.
RJPN has been staging demonstrations in various places accusing the government of forcefully conducting elections in other provinces without addressing the demands of the Madhesi people. Locals were already disappointed for not getting the opportunity to cast vote in the elections and the demonstrations and protest staged by RJPN added to their woes. Normal life was thrown out of gear when cadres of RJPN burnt tires and conducted rallies in various places since early morning.
Major markets of the district headquarters Jaleshwar, Pipra, Gaushala Rural Municipality, Samsi, Ramgopalpur, Aurahi, Matihani among other places remained shut due to the demonstration. Roads seemed empty as the protesters didn't allow the vehicles to move.
Besides that, companies, industries, educational institutions remained closed on Wednesday. Locals consumers were compelled to return home empty handed due to the shutdown of markets. Due to the obstruction of vehicular movement, many passengers were stuck in the middle.
“It was not necessary for RJPN to enforce banda in Province 2 especially because there was no elections taking place here,” said Shiva Chandra Chaudhary, a local. Since early morning, locals were talking against the banda and demonstrations in almost every tea stalls and crossroads. According to most of the locals, banda and demonstrations enforced by RJPN was baseless and it has instead troubled the locals more.
RJPN has been making numerous attempts to foil elections in various places.
Locals of Province 2 disappointed with poll deferral
