Kathmandu, March 22:

The little political campaigning for Constituent Assembly (CA) polls in the area has left Kapan locals feeling ignored by the political parties. Kapan is a major area under Constituency No 4 of Kathmandu. Locals say parties and candidates have failed to build election atmosphere and inculcate enthusiasm among the voters in the village.

They also said they know only through the media that the polls are so close, and what importance the polls have.

Altogether 38 candidates are contesting from the constituency; the big names being CPN-UML’s Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Nepali Congress’ Suprabha Ghimire.

Besides candidates representing the political parties, 15 independent candidates are also trying their luck in the constituency, which is expected to see a neck-to-neck competition between the women candidates of the NC and the CPN-UML.

The locals complained there was no election atmosphere despite the fact that the CA polls are meant to map a major transformation of the country.

Mod Nath Sigdel of Ward No 3 said there is a big difference between the political campaigning in the past and the present. The candidates used to come asking for votes door to door, people used to gather at places and discuss on elections; there used

to be banners, posters and pamphlets everywhere and people used to enthusiastically

wait for the election day. But nothing like that could be seen in the village this time around, he said.

“Although something that big (CA election) is going to happen in 19 days, it does not seem like that at all here,” said Posta Prasad Koirala, a businessman.

“Candidates have failed to make us realise their presence; merely one candidate has

visited the village asking for votes so far,” he said, adding that all they could see is some vehicles passing by hoisting flags of some parties.

“The whole environment seems passive and unmoved by the election that is so close,” Koirala said.

Building an election environment is vital in convincing the people to turn up at the polling centre on the voting day.

“But the campaigns are so grim that it seems no one needs our votes and the election is not significant,” said Yogendra Prassad Regmi (70). “I am least interested in the polls this time, though I know this election is very important.”

“We feel very close to the polls only when we turn the TV or radio and read newspapers,”

Regmi added. “It seems the parties, their leaders and candidates are not doing their duty properly,” he added.