JHAPA, FEBRUARY 26

Indira Ghimire, 34, a voter from Udayapur Constituency-1, stated that she is voting for change. "We have seen traditional parties several times. This time, I am hoping for a new face," she told THT. "By new face, I mean Balen (Balendra Shah)."

The senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Shah, has garnered a wave of votes in his favour in east Nepal as he has challenged the fort of CPN-UML in Jhapa-5.

Muhhamad Bacha Muslim, 68, who is a voter of Sunsari Constituency-3, said that he is done with traditional forces and has already made up his mind to vote for Shah.

According to him, the monarchs were better than traditional party leaders. "They have sold industries, rivers and borders," he said. "However, Balen has impressed me with his style of work in Kathmandu and his speech in Itahari."

Muslim, who drives a rickshaw in Biratnagar, added that the entirety of Biratnagar is in support of Shah. "We are changing our votes because of Balen, no one else.

Balen has done better work. He will bring change." Pankaj Sah, 43, a local businessperson in Biratnagar, said that 75 per cent are in favour of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. "Even I have decided to vote for change. Balen has truly impressed me. He knows the suffering of businesspeople, which is clear from his speech and style of presentation."

Princess Magar, 16, who is not even eligible to cast a vote, shared that she is convincing her family members and relatives to vote for Shah. "Balen speaks less and works more. This is what has impressed me."

Sandhya Acharya, 16, also seconded Princess, stating that she is also talking with her family members and asking them to vote for change.

Baiju Sah, 51, a voter of Sunsari-3, told THT that he has already decided whom to vote for. "I am waiting for March 5 to vote for Balen." He further highlighted that the entire country is in favour of change from Mechi to Mahakali. "Traditional parties have destroyed the country," he opined.

Saroj Khatri, 19, Sunsari-3, voting for the first time, shared that he is voting for change. "Voting for traditional forces, especially CPN-UML, is out of the question.

Nepali Congress has changed its leadership, however, I do not completely trust it. There are five voters in the family, all for change this time." He also expressed a desire to contest in the election of local levels. "I want to work for the local levels, and I am planning to contest for ward chairpersons in the upcoming election," he added.

Rama Baskota, 40, of Sunsari-3, is changing her vote to Shah. "The young generation has been through a lot. The CPN-UML government murdered Gen Zs. Despite that they remain arrogant and show no remorse. That's why I am compelled to change my vote this time," she said.

Sakal Dev Mandal, 65, of Haripur, Sunsari-4, has also thought of changing his vote. "Last time I voted for UML. This time I am voting for RSP," he told THT. "I have decided to see new people this time."

Sanjeev Kumar Mandal, 37, of Saptari-1, said that the Balen wave is real in Saptari. "I am also voting for change this time."

Hemanta Dahal, 68, a voter of Jhapa-2, also said that he has decided to vote for change so has Rudra Pokharel, 65, of Jhapa-4. According to them, it's time for change and that is possible through youth.

Jhapa Constituency-5 in mood for change

The Himalayan Times interviewed and talked with over 50 people in Jhapa-5. Although some shared that they are yet to decide, the majority of them said they are in a mood for change.

Bhupendra Bega, 50, of Jhapa-5 expressed that he is a supporter of identity politics. "(KP Sharma) Oli has always been against that. As a result, whoever is the stronger candidate against Oli, I will vote for them."

Rina Khatiwada, 50, of Jhapa-5 stated that she had voted in the last election, but she wants to change her vote this time. "Both my son and daughter are abroad. They often call me and ask me to vote for Balen, which is what I had decided on any way."

According to her, Jhapa is already developed. "The other parts of the country should be developed," she argued.

Yamuna Shahi, 25, of Jhapa-5, seconded Khatiwada, saying youth should take charge of the country.

Sudan Tamang, 29, without batting an eye, said he was voting for change.

Bharat Raj Dahal, 51, admitted that he had voted for Oli multiple times. "But this time I am done with him. He has taken us for granted. As a result, not only me, there are 80 households in my close network and they all have decided to change their votes."

According to him, even if you count three votes per household, it would be 240. "This is just in my close-knit circle. They are all voting for Balen this time. Jhapa's people are educated and they know very well about what the country wants and needs. We are going to appreciate that by embracing change," he told THT.

Mani Bogati, 39, who does tractor business in Jhapa-5, opined that UML and RSP are neck-and-neck. "The competition is just between UML and RSP. Other political parties have very little chance of getting good votes," he told THT.

According to him, Oli has done numerous works for Jhapa-5. "We do not have space to neglect that, but there were some lapses which have caused frustration among voters. As a result, it's not a completely one-sided competition in Jhapa-5."

He emphasised that the Brahmin cluster is the decider of the winner here. Over 40 per cent Brahmin clusters have sided with Shah. "Thus, the competition is going to be tough between UML and RSP," he explained. However, people from other clusters also appear to be supporting Shah.

Kumari BK, 75, of Damak said that she is voting for change this time. "I will vote for Balen," she said. Sharmila Shrestha, 32, from Damak-9, said that last time she voted for UML, but this time she has planned to change her vote. "I will vote for Balen, hoping that he would work for employment opportunities within the country, which would halt youth exodus for foreign employment," she said.

Paro Devi Sah, 45, who sells Bhakka, a popular local dish made of rice flour, shared that her entire family is voting for RSP this time. "The major reason is the killings of Gen Zs. It has hurt me very much. No one's children should face such a fate," she told THT.

"There are six voters in my family. All of us are voting for Balen. People in my colony are also rooting for him."