Dhangadi, March 21

As local level polls become imminent, election fever has gripped Province 7 where politics and election have become the major subjects for daily gossip at every tea shop and eatery these days.

The slated election that will end a long hiatus of two decades when election to local bodies couldn’t take place has not only brought cheers to the political circle but also the common people, who had gone through hassles of having to get things done by people other than their chosen representatives. They had also become victims of the malpractice of political apportionments, a practice that had emerged as a culture among political parties of late.

While in the political circle, there is competition among the party rank and file to secure tickets to fight the election, the topic has also occupied the public, who love to speculate on the prospective candidates and their chances of success, in advance.

In Dhangadi, the main financial hub of the province, parties have intensified their preparations for the poll. There are six rural municipalities, as many municipalities, and one sub-metropolis here. Of the local bodies, Dhangadi is a major contention, where Nripa Bada and Krishna Bahadur Mahara of Nepali Congress, Rana Bahadur Chand of CPN-UML and Ramesh Dhami of CPN-MC and Gajendra Bahadur Singh of Rastriya Prajatantra Party are tipped to be the candidates for the post of mayor. Besides, election preparations have also started in places, including Tikapur, Godabari, Gauriganga, Lamkichuha, Ghodaghodi, and Bhajani municipalities.

In Kanchanpur, a major fight is expected in Bhimdatta Municipality, where parties have geared up to turn election results in their favour. As it is said the election result in this municipality will affect the result in the hilly districts in the entire far-west, the battle here is being watched closely.

However, experts say it’s too early to call election results anywhere in the province as the election is happening as per the new structure.

Meanwhile, parties have also started their campaigns in Achham, Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Baitadi and Darchula districts.