Election tempo picks up in Koshi

BY OUR CORRESPONDENS

Koshi Province, Jan. 23: As Nepal approaches the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, election-related activities across eastern districts have intensified, marked by campaign visits from senior political leaders, calls for democratic vigilance, and the smooth completion of candidate nomination processes.

CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged citizens to remain alert against forces that weaken democracy and disturb social harmony. Speaking in Damak, Jhapa, on Thursday, Oli said anarchic and criminal activities cannot last long and stressed that those involved in violence and vandalism must face legal action.

Oli, who is contesting the parliamentary election from Jhapa Constituency No. 5, made the remarks while inspecting the house of Nepali Communist Party leader Gagan Puri, which was vandalised and set on fire during protests linked to the Gen Z movement. He described the  act of making a family homeless as unacceptable and said incidents of arson, looting, and destruction of property were not justifiable under any circumstances. According to Oli, disorder does not endure, and the public understands this reality. He also urged citizens not to become disillusioned by the belief that nothing positive is happening in the country.

Gagan Puri said all evidence related to the incident has been collected and that legal procedures have already been initiated. He added that household property was looted, domestic items were burned, and the house sustained severe damage, making it unfit for habitation.

Meanwhile, Rastriya Swatantra Party leader and proposed prime ministerial candidate Balendra Shah has stepped up his campaign in the eastern hill districts. On Thursday, Shah met party leaders and cadres in Ilam followed by Phidim, district headquarters of Panchthar, and called on them to actively engage in the election campaign. Supporters from various age groups welcomed him with slogans during his visit.

During his stay in Phidim, Shah held discussions with Rastriya Swatantra Party’s Panchthar parliamentary candidate Mahendra Bikram Thamsuhang, district Chairman Prakash Gurung, and other local leaders. His secretariat informed Shah had earlier met party leaders in Ilam and was scheduled to travel through Taplejung, visit the Pathibhara area, and then return to his own constituency in Jhapa.

In Morang, Nepali Congress leader and parliamentary candidate from Constituency No. 6 Dr. Shekhar Koirala said the party had moved forward in unity after its special general convention. Addressing an interaction programme with party workers in Sundarharaicha, Dr. Koirala said that although differences existed within the party during the convention, all factions have now come together.