BIRGUNJ, September 9: The local elections announced after a hiatus of twenty years have not only brought in a festive mood in Province 2 but has also given the locals a chance to vent their ire against the political parties.
In an open debate organized by the Reporters Club, Parsa, on Saturday, the locals of Birgunj made the candidates of various political parties sweat by throwing a volley of questions.
Two former mayors competing for the same post yet again
Having suffered because of the absence of local representatives for almost a decade and a half, the locals used the program as a great chance to express their disappointment. Most of the questions were aimed at the candidates from long ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML.
Unable to face the flurry of questions fired by the locals, Basuruddin Ansari, the mayoral candidate of the CPN-UML left the stage. Then the disappointed locals targeted Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, the mayoral candidate of NC. "Yes, it is true that NC has led the government more than any other party, but if we look at the history, our party has always been there for the people in their hardest times," claimed Dwivedi.
Rajeshman Singh, the mayoral candidate of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) left the program after an opening speech. So, the locals expressed their disappointment with the Madhes-based parties with the candidate of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN), Bijaya Saraogi. "A lot of our youths who go abroad for employment return home in coffins," he said, adding, "That would not have been the case if we had employment opportunities in our own country." He assured the people that no one will have to remain jobless if he gets elected.
Meanwhile, Rahbar Ansari, the mayoral candidate of CPN (Maoist Centre) said it is very much important for the metropolis to concentrate on the minor accomplishments that will ultimately lead it towards development. On the other hand, the mayoral candidate of the Socialist Party, Manoj Rauniyar stated that abolishing corruption will be his first and foremost priority. In the program, the locals were also seen curious about the development plans of the candidates.
