DADELDHURA, Nov 9: With single election constituency in Dadeldhura, Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has been winning the elections since 2048 BS. It is from here that Deuba became Home Minister and the country’s prime minister for four times. Can Deuba save his legacy at Dadeldhura this time?
This time, a prominent Maoist leader and a common candidate of Left Alliance, Khagraj Bhatta is standing against Deuba for upcoming elections at Dadeldhura. After Maoists entered the peace process in the election of 2064 BS, youth leader Khagraj Bhatta matched against Deuba. Fearing defeat, Deuba was forced to file his candidacy from Kanchanpur’s Constituency-4. During the 2048, 2051 ad 2056’s election, Deuba was reassured as he had no competitors in Dadeldhura. However, as Maoists entered peace process, Bhatta not only posed imminent threat to Deuba’s legacy, but also fought a tough battle – forcing the latter to win the 2064’s election by slim votes.
Deuba's trysts with power
Congress supporters opine that Deuba was likely to win the elections due to his works, its impact and his personality. However, Bhatta’s supporters opine that a changing voters’ mindset and Left Alliance dynamics would support Bhatta’s win. This time, a tougher competition is expected between Deuba and Bhatta.
Karna Bahadur Malla, president of Nepali Congress, Dadeldhura, opines that Deuba’s works in developing infrastructures, electricity, roads, drinking water, bridges, education, health and employment would contribute toward the win of country’s prime minister.
Likewise, supporters of Bhatta opine that increasing presence of left alliance, internal rifts inside Nepali Congress would contribute to Bhatta’s win. “People have their faith in me—faith that I will able to speed up development better than Deuba did in 28 years time,” Bhatta said. Initially, Bhatta was a member of Nepali Congress. With influence of his brother, Jayaraj Bhatta, Khagraj joined the Maoists in 2047.
