Political parties and independent candidates have released manifestos and made pledges for the upcoming federal and provincial. They are now going to the public seeking votes with different slogans and promises.
For the November 20 election, parties and their candidates have expressed the commitment to uplift the marginalized community with addressing the issues of backwardness, poverty and unemployment in Karnali as their main agenda. This has however been a norm during every election. But the voters complain that all the promises made in the election have not been fulfilled.
Especially in the case of Karnali Province, which is geographically backward, there is a demand of the people to move forward on economic grounds apart from development and infrastructure work. Furthermore, the condition of the marginalized communities of Karnali, women, Dalits, and the indigenous has not improved as much as desired.
In their manifesto, the parties have pledged to make Karnali digital, ending hunger, providing roads and drinking water to all citizens' homes, guaranteeing employment, promoting self-sufficiency in agriculture and integrating the scattered settlements. But the voters are doubtful that the leaders would implement their promises after they are elected.
Yuvraj Thapa of Birendranagar in Surkhet complained that the political parties had made various promises in the past too but there was nothing much done to fulfill them. "This time, we want to vote for those who work in favor of social-economic transformation", he said. He said that the candidates who work to bring forward the backward class communities should win the election.
Pushparaj Koirala of the same locality also said that the elected representatives have not been able to do anything for employment in the region. "People here are still forced to go abroad for not finding work in the country. So, in the next election, we will vote for the candidate who will create jobs and create a working environment in the country."
Voters say that there is a need for a leader who will contribute to bring forward women and marginalized communities in particular. Meena Acharya, a resident of Birendranagar 12, says, " We need a leader who has a 'vision' of how to solve the problems of children's nutrition, women suffering from various forms of violence, and the lack of development infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the candidates say that they are running for the upliftment of marginalized communities and classes. Bindaman Bista, who is a candidate for the Karnali Provincial Assembly in Surkhet constituency No. 2 (1) from the CPN Maoist Center, says, "As a minister of the Karnali provincial Government I had started a program to ensure education, health and housing for the marginalized and underprivileged groups. Now my main agenda is to continue those programs. There can be no development unless the marginalized communities are brought forward.”
Amrit BC, candidate of Surkhet constituency No. 2 from CPN-UML for the member of the House of Representatives, said that his priority would be to promote self-employment for marginalized communities, women and Dalits.
Hridayram Thane, who is a candidate for the House of Representatives from Surkhet constituency No. 2 from the Nepali Congress, also said that as in the past his focus will be on solving every problem of the people and bringing a wave of development.
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