Kanchanpur, December 1

Parliamentary candidate from the left alliance and Nepali Congress in Kanchanpur-1 are trying to woo voters championing the cause of development.

Left alliance’s common candidate Bina Magar is contesting against Dewan Singh Bista of the Nepali Congress from the constituency.

Poor road conditions, lack of drainage system, load shedding and shortage of drinking water are some of the major problems in the constituency. Both the candidates are in a bid to convince voters that they would work for the constituency’s development if elected, while criticising one another for not doing enough.

While the left alliance has accused Bista, who won the Constituent Assembly election from the constituency in 2013, of ignoring locals’ woes after winning the election, the NC has countered the claim stating that they had initiated many development projects.

‘’I have proven myself as a pro development leader,” said Bista, adding that rival Bina visited Kanchanpur only during polls and that she did not understand the actual development needs of the district.

NC supporters also say that Bista has initiated several development projects in the area. “‘Some of Bista’s initiations include electrification of rural parts of the Belauri’s village,” Sanju Thapa, an NC supporter told The Himalayan Times.

On the other hand, the left alliance has said Bina Magar, who lost the last CA elections from the same constituency, she worked for the development of the area despite her loss.

While her rivals claim that she is trying to win sympathy votes after the demise of her husband Prakash Dahal a few days ago, Magar said she did not believe in such gimmicks.

She also appealed to voters not to vote for her for the fact that she was the daughter-in-law of CPN-Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, but for her being ‘Kanchanpur’s daughter’ and a woman contesting for parliamentary seat.

Although the alliance between the CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre has made Magar confident of her victory, NC’s Bista claimed the alliance would not make a difference. “UML cadres are not happy with the party’s decision to leave the constituency for the CPN-MC, so they are also going to vote for me,” Bista said

Major concerns of voters include roads and establishment of a snake-bite treatment facility in the constituency.