BHADRAPUR: As the date for the House of Representatives (HoR) election on March 5 approaches, electoral activities have also intensified in Jhapa Constituency No 2.

The political environment of this constituency has become more interesting after former ministers, members of the Constituent Assembly, legal experts, and young activists, along with the outgoing Speaker and Deputy Speaker, entered the electoral race.

A total of 18 candidates including those from 15 political parties and three independent candidates, are competing in the election from this constituency.

Former Speaker Devraj Ghimire from CPN (UML), Sarita Prasain from Nepali Congress, Dharmashila Chapagain from Nepali Communist Party, former Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Bhadra Prasad Nepal from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Ramesh Kumar Rajbanshi from Janamat Party, Chandra Kumari Garu from Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Akal Bahadur Tamang from Mongol National Organisation, Man Bahadur Pulami Magar from Nepal Janamukti Party and Shree Prasad Sitoula from Nepal Communist Party (United) are in the electoral contest.

Similarly, Amrita Lawati from the Sanghiya Lokatantrik Rastriya Manch, Keshav Kumar Bhandari from the Shram Sanskriti Party, Arjun Kumar Pandey from the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist), Chuda Karna Begha from the Ujyalo Nepal Party, Til Bahadur Rai from the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, as well as independent candidates Punya Prasad Acharya, Ramesh Kumar Karki, and Dr Yubraj Sangroula are in the electoral race in this constituency.

Jhapa electoral constituency no 2 is comprised of Arjundhara Municipality, Kankai Municipality–8 and 9, Wards 1, 2 and 3 of Buddhashanti Rural Municipality, and Wards 1 to 9 of Birtamod Municipality. According to the Election Commission, there are 147,522 voters in this constituency having 165 voting centers under 49 polling stations.

In the 2079 BS HoR member election, UML’s Ghimire had won by receiving 28,716 votes. In that election, Bhadra Prasad Nepal, who had contested as an independent candidate, received 26,455 votes and became the runner-up.

Former Speaker and UML candidate Ghimire said that he took initiatives for completing many incomplete development projects during his short three-year term and needs the people’s support again to complete the remaining ones.

Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate and outgoing Deputy Speaker Ranamagar expressed the view that her presence is strong in this area based on the experience of being born and raised here and helping homeless and helpless children. “I am committed to strengthening social justice and inclusivity through the Constitution,” she added.

The Nepali Communist Party candidate and former minister Chapagain stated that there is a plan to upgrade Birtamod a sub-metropolitan city and develop it into a ‘Smart City’.

Nepali Congress candidate Prasai said that the leadership should now be taken up by the younger generation and emphasized the need to focus on youth-friendly laws and policy-making. She mentioned plans to involve women and youth in the agricultural sector to make them self-reliant.

Independent candidate and former Attorney General Dr Sangroula stated that legal reform and constitutional amendment are necessary and mentioned that he is contesting the election to the Member of Parliament to lead the country in the right direction.

RPP candidate Nepal stated that his main ‘agenda’ is the protection of a Hindu state and the ‘Sanatana’ religion.
While the candidates were claiming their victories, local voters have emphasized that the new representative should focus on creating an investment-friendly environment in agriculture, energy, and industry.

Mehar Magar, a resident of Arjundhara-8, said, “If investment in agriculture sector and small industries can be increased, Arjundhara, Birtamod, and the hilly areas in this constituency will prosper. We need MPs who promote investment in education, health, and small industries and understand the problems of farmers closely.”

Similarly, Krishna Chudal of Birtamod-4 stated that there is a need for a visionary MP who, based on business experience, can establish an industrial park in Birtamod for overall development, including as a medical and educational hub.

In Jhapa-2, plans for multi-dimensional development by prominent candidates, and high expectations from locals have made this election a centre of attention everywhere.