24-year-old announces candidacy for Chaurpati vice-chair

By Shiba Raj Dhungana

Achham, Apr. 27: Anita Khadka, 24, has registered her candidacy for the vice-chairpersonship of Chaurpati Rural Municipality, Achham. She registered her candidacy from the CPN (UML) on Monday, becoming probably the youngest person to stand for elected office in the upcoming local election.

Talking to The Rising Nepal after her registration, Khadka, a resident of Lungra, Chaurpati–5, said that she was standing for her vision of and responsibility towards her society. “I dream of developing and beautifying my birthplace. That is why I am standing for this election,” she explained her decision. “I was born and raised here so I know the local problems. I will try my best to find solutions that work best for everyone.” 

She said that she would stand with the villagers in their fight to bring infrastructure development, increase agriculture production and eliminate social evils. “I am standing not because I am excited to but because the prevalent problems frustrated me,” she said.

Khadka, who is an undergraduate student at the Tripura Sundari Campus in Shrikot, said that she came to represent the youth. “Candidates need not only be old people. The youth are just as able to lead units of governance. This is the example I have set out to set.”  Khadka, who feels much needs to be done to improve education, health and agriculture and address the problem of violence against women, said that she would formulate the appropriate policies in coordination with the people of Chaurpati.

Khadka also clarified that she did not take the decision to contest on a whim. “I did not jump into politics overnight. I have attended many discussions and talked to many villagers,” the central member of Yuva Sangh said.

Meanwhile, UML has fielded another youth, 21-year-old Sweta Kumari Harijan, in Siddharthanagar Municipality. According to our Bhairahawa correspondent, she is standing to be a member of Ward No. 6 of Siddharthanagar Municipality. She is standing as a Dalit woman for the ward.