HoR election: Voters of Rupandehi-4 say they need pro-development leader

Devdaha (Rupandehi), Feb 20: "The road leading up to Marchawari is in poor condition. The major problem here is the bad road. Until it is improved, life will not be easy," expressed Om Prakash Kandu of Siso Semara of Marchawari-3 in Rupandehi constituency no 4.

Like Kandu, many voters of this constituency agree that bad roads are their biggest common problem. 

He rued that even bringing an ambulance or fire engine becomes difficult due to poor road condition.

As unemployment remains another biggest concern here, Kundu observed that this constituency needs a leader who can establish new industries and create jobs for local residents. 

“Farmers are not getting fertilizer on time. Even now, they are compelled to cross the border into India to buy it. There are no proper irrigation facilities either,” he shed light on the problems facing the voters in this constituency.

As he is going to exercise his franchise from Rupandehi constituency no 4 for the March 5 election to House of Representatives, he divulged that he plans to vote for a candidate who can genuinely develop this area and advance it further. 

He argued, "Development will only be realized if people vote for a candidate capable of developing this area. Voters should choose the candidate carefully. Why elect someone who never shows up in the constituency after winning?"

He called for a representative who truly cares about this area and its people. "We always receive assurances on what they deliver after winning. Once elected, they don't even recognize us," he ranted.

Another voter Sadhu Saran Yadav of Raipur Marchwari–3 highlighted the key issues in the constituency no 4 including poor roads, lack of timely fertilizer and irrigation facilities for farmers, absence of a well-equipped hospital and inadequate infrastructure in schools.

"The representatives elected in the past could not deliver significantly on development works. This time, by casting our ballot in the upcoming election, we will elect a candidate who can ensure education, health, employment and overall development of this area,” he disclosed his polling plan.

Makkhan Lodh of Parasahawa of Kotahimai Rural Municipality-7 pointed out that there is a pile of problems and stressed the need to elect a candidate who can address these problems. 

Voicing the similar views as Kundu is Shyam Mohan Yadav of Siso Semara, Marchawari Rural Municipality. Yadav admitted that poor road conditions remain the most pressing issue. 

“There are potholes everywhere in the roads which have increased road accidents. Schools are marred by various challenges and there is no well-equipped hospital either," he mentioned, 

"The elected representative must pay special attention to the development of physical infrastructures, education, health, agriculture and employment," he voiced the collective aspirations of the voters here. 

Chandra Shekhar Gupta of Mayadevi Rural Municipality-4 stated that the main issue in this area is primarily related to road infrastructure. He demanded that the people's representatives should pay special attention to the development of the education and health sectors.

Shreeram Yadav from Marchwari-1 echoed Gupta. He said, "The candidate who can arrange for food, irrigation, and roads in this electoral constituency is the one who will be elected this time."

Mohammad Aslam Khan, a resident of Asuraina, Sammarimai Rural Municipality-6, stated that the main problems are in the sectors of education, health, roads and agriculture.

Menka Yadav of Marchwari-1 questioned why incompetent candidates should be elected. She stated that people's representatives who focus on education, roads, agriculture, and employment are necessary.

There are 116,172 voters, including 66,062 men and 50,110 women, in Rupandehi Constituency No. 4.

The election candidates in this constituency include former ministers, former House of Representatives members and Provincial Assembly members. Seven independent candidates and 15 candidates from political parties are in fray.

Sarbendra Nath Shukla of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP), Nepal was elected from this constituency in the general election held in 2022. In the 2017 elections, Pramod Kumar Yadav of the Nepali Congress was elected, while in 2013 elections, Shukla was elected from the Terai-Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) from this constituency.

In 2007 election, Om Prakash Yadav, a candidate of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, was elected as the Constituent Assembly member from here. (RSS)