Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan chief Gopal Hamal, who won the election as an independent candidate, is in the news because of his work.

While other independent mayors are coming into controversy due to their work and style of work, it is not heard that there is much controversy in his work. Kantipur ka   Janakraj Sapkota edited part of the conversation with :

How is your routine now? 

In order not to disturb the office hours in the afternoon, we hold meetings in the morning.  Departmental meetings or with various guests/organizations. Some things have to be done in the afternoon. In the afternoon, regular office work, development works are done . Meet the customers who come to visit, listen to them and address them.  

We hear that it is difficult for independent mayors to work. You independent mayor, what experience ? 

Like the song 'We are the two sides of the shore, our union is impossible...', North and South are like poles . Our priorities are different. People's representatives coming from political parties have to follow the instructions of the party. They are initiated in that way . I speak my mind . I don't even have a worker. Not even a party . What I want to see is what will benefit the people of Dhangadhi? What is the benefit to our party from the point of view of other people's representatives? What is the benefit to our workers ? This is where the clear division begins . Nothing else is a big deal . From this thinking, our priorities are different  are seen and conflict is created . 

How have you been managing this conflict?   When

issues are brought to the attention of the people, the people will start speaking for themselves. For example, in our Dhangadi, a poor family used to burn the dead bodies by burning tires because they did not have money to buy firewood. We established the title of cremation expenses so that the bodies of citizens of Dhangadhi should not be burned by burning tires. And, as soon as we get the call about the death, we take the cash to the house . Our employees will deliver 5000 to your home . There is no hassle for that service. Now how can you oppose such things? 

Apart from you, there is an independent mayor especially in Dharan, Kathmandu. Here comes the difference of opinion in the executive meeting itself . However, such a thing will not happen during your tenure, why?

Our Dhangadi executive meeting sat separately in a hotel without telling me. A meeting was held by all the members under the chairmanship of the senior member. And decided not to accept the previous decision of the municipality .  However, this is not legal. The mayor has the right to call the meeting, municipal assembly. We also have a problem. Public pressure is important. This has made it easier for me. 

It's been thirty months since you've been mayor . There are other independent mayors or public representatives in the country. Have you had a formal, informal meeting or discussion with them ? 

When I became the mayor, many people asked . Are you in touch with Balen and Hark? After winning the election, I met Balenji once for 15 minutes . National Hall, where my office staff friends were also . One day I met Harkaji in the ministry. I was going down, he was going up. He didn't even reply to phone calls and messages. 

What do you think, the representative from the political party has done a good job?

is a good job. I remember Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan of Lalitpur Municipality . He also tells others what he knows. You have done a very good job. Others have also worked.  The only problem is that people coming from the party cannot bear the pressure of the party. Those who come from the party should go to ask for tickets tomorrow with the same party and leaders . He cannot work independently. Independents are free from that chain . 

The mayor who won the election as an independent has support from the federal government ? 

that the hypothesis that the local level stood . This is the government! Our constitution envisages three governments including central, provincial and local governments. Even now, they think that there is no government in their mind, but only a level or an office. After giving us autonomy, it was not possible to curb it! The plans we sent are not arriving . Only plan that is not our priority comes . 

You said corrupt politics will be made welfare in elections ? Now what have you achieved from that slogan?

Citizens of our city do not have to pay money if they need blood. In case of death, we have given five thousand for the cremation expenses. Looking at the health of the citizens, we have provided free ambulances, health camps, and aid materials to the disabled. Specialist Ward Clinic is also in operation .  Every day the work is being done with the slogan of city police . Every year, we have given religious visits to Muktinath and other places for senior citizens. Chisyan Municipality has conducted the safe keeping of the body. It seems that the people feel that there is a municipality when they suffer. We have implemented a project bank to advance development plans based on need. 

Now garbage has become a problem for all local levels. But don't you see this problem?

We sort and pick up the waste . It is important to develop the habit of not littering and public awareness. We are talking about this in communities with school students. They are cleaning Dhangadhi. One and a half million people are involved in it .  We have entrusted a school with cleanliness and awareness within a radius of 500 meters. Encouraging government and private schools, we have kept a trophy with a gift of five lakhs. We have kept 1 million gifts for the first in the community . We have made various indicators to be a winner. No city has been clean by cleaning up the garbage . They are clean without dirt.  If you don't waste, you will be clean. We have banned plastic and plastic garlands in the city. It has helped a lot in cleaning up the city after Gudkha was banned.  

Will the work you have started in Dhangadhi continue even after the end of term? 

We are not in a fixed system . We have added everything to the service . Those who come now will not do anything new but will not dare to stop the current programs. 

What are your thoughts after the term of the mayor? 

So far no such idea  No . There is no dialogue with anyone. Personally well wishers say you will contest next time . Someone has also suggested that if one wants to develop the Far West, they should open a party focused on the Far West. These things keep coming. 2 more years to go . What kind of situation is created at this time . I have no other problems . Being a professional person, I got used to going according to my routine . Now we have to follow the routine of the people . There are also some physical problems. I am taking blood pressure medicine . There is a saying that we should not go here from the family. They have started to say that politics is useless . Our family is not a political family.