DANG, Mar 4: Former speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who got a clean chit form the district court of Kathmandu in a case of attempted rape on February 17, is apparently having a great time in Dang these days. His remains busy every day in meetings with his supporters and voters. They garland and try to cheer him up in every way possible. However, Mahara wears a sad look on his face. While addressing the crowd, he often chokes up. He had reached his constituency in Dang as soon as he was released from jail. He is in Dang since February 24.
Mahara turned very emotional due to the overwhelming support shown by people in Deukhuri, Ghorahi, Tulsipur and Hapure, among other places. In his speeches, he says that he was framed. He has also claimed that he would be back in politics.
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"I was in a cyclone for three months. There are several reasons, I was framed," he told the crowds. "Anyway, now I am back, and I am with you all. Development is my priority. I am committed to the development of this place and the country," he added. Mahara even told his supporters that he was always for the country's independence. And that was why he was targeted.
Mahara has already attended several events in Dang as the chief guest in the last few days. Local leaders of the communist party-state that the acceptance of Mahara by public is a good gesture. If it remains intact, he can fare well in the coming election.
Critics have however taken it with a pinch of salt. Since the allegation against Mahara was very serious and many are still not quite impressed by the court's verdict, his political journey ahead might not be that easy, they argue. According to a political analyst Binod Pokharel, the court cleared him of the charge, but whether people have really done so or not would be known when he contests an election. "We cannot take the current warm welcome or fanfare as his bounce-back in politics. His image is no more the same as before. So, it is going to be a great challenge for him to claim back the lost image," he said. "He has been trying his best to win the people's hearts now though," he added.
