JAJARKOT, Nov 13: With the parliamentary and provincial polls are just two weeks away, candidates of the left alliance in Jajarkot are struggling to retaining their voter bank while the candidates of Nepali Congress (NC) are putting all of their efforts to woo more voters.
There has always been a tough trilateral competition between the three major parties-- NC, CPN-UML and the Maoists in the district. But this time the competition is only between the two. Though left alliance formed comprising CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist-Center) seems ahead in early calculations based on historical performance of political parties, grudges between the alliance members and popularity of NC leaders seems to be affecting the left alliance representatives.
Local leaders in stiff competition for poll candidacy
According to civil society leader Rajendra Bikram Shah, it is challenging to predict possible winner in Jajarkot. Both the alliances have fielded powerful candidates who are immensely popular among the locals.
This has made the election battle even more interesting. If the past elections are to go by, all the three parties have been able to bag victories in Jajarkot. However, protecting legacy has been a challenge for all, he said.
With the objective of beating their rivals, candidates of both the alliances are busy forming strategies. "If we can only retain our own votes, we can easily win the elections," said Karbir Shahi, the left alliance candidate for the provincial election from constituency 2 of the district.
Meanwhile, candidates of NC are trying to take advantage of the controversies and disputes that emerged within the left alliance member parties during the distribution of constituencies. NC's Rajiv Bikram Sah who is contesting for the parliamentary elections from constituency 1 of the district, is expected to give a tough competition to left alliance candidate, former Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet.
Similarly, an interesting battle is expected between NC's leader Bed Raj Singh and left alliance candidate Ganesh Prasad Singh for the provincial elections in constituency 1. Likewise in constituency 2, NC's Dipak Junj Shah who has been fielded as a candidate in five of the previous elections will be competing against influential leader Karbir Shahi.
