Political temperature Rises in Morang-6 Ahead of Elections

Biratnagar. As the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 approaches, the political temperature in Morang Constituency No. 6 is rising daily. In this area, which has traditionally been influenced by major parties, there are signs of an interesting competition between new forces and old faces this time.

In the 2079 BS elections, Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala won from this constituency, and he is in the race again. Koirala is currently conducting regular door-to-door campaigns. By reaching out to every neighborhood and talking directly with voters, he has put himself to the test of public opinion once more.

Milan Luitel, a member of Nepali Congress Morang-6, says the party is entering the election with better organizational preparation this time. According to him, Koirala himself has been instructing workers to focus on the election.

However, there is some dissatisfaction with Dr. Shekhar within the party. Some workers are unhappy with the recent role of Koirala, who led the campaign to improve the Congress party. Questions are being raised about his role during the special general convention. One worker said, "The leader who said the Congress must change did not play the expected role at the decisive time. Even so, we are working to make him win as he is the current choice."

UML's Strategy: Critical Leader, Trusted Organization

The CPN-UML has fielded Binod Dhakal as its candidate in this constituency. Dhakal, who was also a candidate for the post of secretary in the UML general convention, is the party's representative for Morang-6.

There is hope for Dhakal among UML workers. "This time, Binod Dai will create history," say local UML workers.

Dhakal is considered a leader who holds critical views within the party. For this reason, leaders and workers from groups other than the party establishment seem more confident in him. Analysts say that his clear ideology and unique voice have become Dhakal's main election strengths.

RSP: Appeal to Urban Voters and 'Change'

Morang-6, which is a mix of urban and rural areas (some wards of Biratnagar, Budhiganga Rural Municipality, and some wards of Sundarharaicha Municipality), shows a growing influence of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The RSP has fielded Rubina Acharya from this constituency.

Acharya, who started her politics through the Bibeksheel Sajha Party, is a face active in social and educational services. She is seen as a candidate capable of attracting voters who are dissatisfied with old political parties, especially the youth. It is certain that votes for novelty and change in politics will go to Acharya.

Previous Election and Current Equation

Data from the previous election shows that Congress is relatively strong in Morang-6. In the proportional representation category, Congress received 23,710 votes, while UML got 19,389 votes. RSP, in third place, received 11,526 votes, and RPP, in fourth place, got 10,641 votes. The Maoists were limited to fifth place.

In the 2079 BS election, Dr. Shekhar Koirala, the candidate of the Congress-Maoist alliance, received 35,224 votes. UML candidate Lal Babu Pandit received 22,946 votes, while RSP's Yadav Kumar Pradhan got 9,140 votes.

With a strong presence of communist parties and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party in Morang-6, this time there is a competition between experience, organization, and change. The established vote base of the Congress, the organized structure of the UML, and the growing attraction of the RSP have made this area a center for a three-way battle.