Pokhara, 13 February | CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has returned to Kathmandu today after completing a week-long intensive voter interaction campaign in his home constituency, Jhapa-5. Having arrived in Jhapa on February 6 (Magh 23) for the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 5, Oli spent seven days visiting approximately 80 different neighborhoods across Gauradaha, Kamal, and Gauriganj rural municipalities. According to Devendra Dahal, the commander of the election mobilization committee, Chairman Oli focused on “first-hand information” by engaging in direct dialogues with thousands of voters to understand their local grievances, expectations, and developmental needs.
During his door-to-door visits, residents raised significant concerns regarding infrastructure, health, and communication. Voters in Gauradaha-6 presented a written six-point memorandum demanding the blacktopping of rural roads, the construction of permanent bridges over the Ratuwa River, and the establishment of a well-equipped hospital to prevent deaths from lack of timely treatment. In the border area of Dewanganj, locals complained about the lack of Nepali mobile network coverage, forcing them to rely on Indian telecommunication towers, and urged Oli to prioritize the installation of a local mobile tower. Additionally, many young voters and women, such as Ramila Rajbanshi, emphasized the need for local employment opportunities to discourage the trend of youths migrating abroad for work.
Oli’s campaign team stated that the Chairman was highly encouraged by the open and frank discussions with the electorate, who not only questioned him on local issues but also appreciated his stance on national sovereignty. While Oli has covered a significant portion of the rural municipalities, he is scheduled to return to Jhapa after February 16 (Falgun 4) to conduct similar interactions in the ten wards of Damak Municipality. Analysts believe this grassroots approach is an attempt by Oli to consolidate his traditional stronghold and clear any political misconceptions among voters ahead of a high-profile electoral battle, particularly against heavyweight challengers like Balen Shah.
