RUPANDEHI, NOVEMBER 16
Candidates for elections to the House of Representatives and province assemblies have incorporated issues concerning greater development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and promoting its global identity.
Bharat Kumar Shah from the ruling alliance and CPN-UML's Basudev Ghimire are likely to have close competition in the HoR election.
Shah, who has been winning the election from the constituency continuously, is in the election race with the hope of repeating history, while Ghimire, who is credited with giving a facelift to Tilottama Municipality as its mayor, hopes to break the tradition and grab the opportunity to serve the people as member in the federal Parliament.
Local social worker Bishnu Basuyal said he was not sure who would secure a win in the elections as he was expecting tough competition between the two candidates.
Shah is a popular face among people here, while Ghimire has established his brand as a successful mayor.
Shah said he was confident of getting people's mandate to serve them again.
"People here acknowledge my contribution to the significant infrastructure development in the area. I am committed to making all possible efforts to bring positive changes in the constituency by connecting it to Lumbini."
Ghimire is trying to convince voters that he will use his experience as a successful mayor in the development of the constituency by promoting and connecting it to the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.
"This constituency is lagging behind in comparison to other constituencies in the district . I have some plans for its development by connecting it to Lumbini. A change in leadership is a must to implement the plans," he added.
CPN-UML's Bhumishwor Dhakal is contending in the PA elections from Rupandehi Constituency-5 A, while the ruling alliance has fielded Binod Pahadi.
UML's Ramchandra Yadav and the alliance's Phakruddin Khan will be facing each other in Rupandehi-5B.
Independent candidates Bhishma Rana and Sabbir Khan will be fighting for the seat in the HoR from the constituency comprising Gaidhawa Rural Municipality, and wards 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Sainamaina Municipality, Kanchan Rural Municipality, Ward No 1 of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, and wards 3 to 11 of Mayadevi Rural Municipality.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 17, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.
