Ploughman Bhul deputy mayor candidate for Dasharathchand

By Gokarna Dayal

Baitadi, Apr. 30: Rajuram Bhul had once reached Kathmandu from Baitadi during the Haliya Mukti Movement in 2008 and picketed Singhadurbar carrying a plough. The same ploughman is now a candidate for a deputy mayor in Dasharathchand Municipality, Baitadi. 

Bhul was also active in the People's Movement and has been continuing his social works and protests for Haliyas, the agricultural bonded labourers who work on others’ land, for the past 25 years.

Nepal government had signed an agreement with Bhul as the leader of Haliyas on September 6, 2008, and declared Nepal a Haliya-free country.

"Nepal is an agricultural country but there has been no change in the lifestyle of farmers and labourers. This is why I decided to bring about the change in Dasharathchand Municipality by being elected as the deputy mayor," said Bhul.

He is contesting the election as a candidate of the CPN (Unified-Socialist), one of the coalition partners. Prem Singh Thapa, a former teacher, is the mayoral candidate representing the CPN (Maoist Centre) in the municipality. "Haliyas have the power to transform a non-agricultural land to an arable land.  Now, I represent these farmers," said Bhul.