KATHMANDU, May 5: Model Debate-2074 [2017] ‘Drishtikon’ was organized by We Inspire Nepal, the US Embassy Youth Council, in coordination with International Law and Relations Study Center on Thursday at Kathmandu School of Law.
Candidates who are contesting for mayoral and deputy mayoral posts were present for the debate. Raju Raj Joshi from Nepali Congress, Madan Sundar Shrestha from CPN-UML and Rajaram Shrestha from RPP were asked questions about their candidacy, plans and policies.
“The main objective of the event was to give insight to first time voters and help them make correct decision by promoting debate culture,” said Santosh Pandey, program director of We Inspire Nepal. The questions asked to the candidates were generated through social media platforms, Nepali youth and members of the US Embassy Youth council.
The candidates were made to discuss their plans with the audience where Joshi of Nepali Congress said that he will make sure to run the metro through the capital city and provide employment to at least 20,000 youths every year. UML’s Shrestha promised to make the local level government free of corruption and accountable along with developing proper drainage system at Madhyapur Thimi. Likewise, RPP’s Rajaram Shrestha assured that he would work to transform Kathmandu into a pollution free city and ensure that people living here will have high income.
When asked about why citizens should vote for them, Madan Sundar replied that he would be perfect candidate because he has the will power and dedication to do something for his community. Shrestha said that since he is familiar with the problems , he knows the solution too which he could implement if he got elected. Joshi reflected on his party’s history and his past experience which should prove his ability to work for the community.
The debate provided the audience with an outlook of their candidate and the candidates’ vision for the betterment of the community. Important questions regarding the earthquake reconstruction, women empowerment, empowerment of differently able and accountability of the government were also raised.
The audience which consisted of group of youths got the chance to have live interaction with the people who later would be the part of the local level government. The event also had demonstration of sample voting which would teach them about the voting process.
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