The then acting president of the Nepali Congress, Purna Bahadur Khadka, has been contesting the election since 2001. His brother Bishnu Bahadur Khadka is in the fray this time in Surkhet-1. He himself had gone to the Election Commission and the Supreme Court regarding the legality of the special general convention of the Nepali Congress. The case is pending. That is why he did not become a candidate and the Nepali Congress made his brother Bishnu Bahadur the candidate. However, even when his own brother was a candidate, he is not physically present in the district. An edited excerpt of a conversation with Khadka, who entered the fray in the absence of his brother, by Kantipur's Jyoti Katuwal :

How is your election campaign going?

After registering my candidacy on 6th Magh, I organized a district working committee meeting the next day and went on the election campaign. Leaders and workers from across the region, ward working committees, Representatives from the toll working committee and the provincial level have joined hands in the election campaign. It has been decided to make committees at all levels active. I have worked to reach every ward of every municipality. I have been meeting voters directly by going to tolls, listening to their problems, taking suggestions and presenting my candidacy agenda. In some places, I have held group meetings by combining two or three tolls, while in some places, I have held small group discussions.

Your candidacy within the Congress happened suddenly. After the special general assembly and the election of the new leadership of the Congress, your brother (Purna Bahadur Khadka) did not become a candidate, and you came. How much challenge are you feeling in the current new political environment?

I may be new in terms of candidacy, but I am not new in politics. I have been actively involved in politics since 2036 BS with the faith of the Nepali Congress. I am a person who carried the blue flag at a young age during the multi-party-neutral era. I was active in the movement that started under the leadership of Ganeshman Singh during the 2001 Jan Andolan. I was arrested twice while involved in anti-panchayat activities - the first time for 21 days and the second time for 26 days, a total of 47 days in jail. During that period, I also suffered physical and mental torture. After achieving multi-partyism, I actively participated in expanding the organization. I contributed to the work of strengthening the organization in Surkhet constituency number 1 and 2. After my brother was elected from constituency number 1, I worked in the center while he was working in Surkhet as his assistant, handling the work of organization, development and public relations.

You were known more as a businessman than a politician, was it not difficult to suddenly become a candidate?

I have been active in the transportation sector for 35 years. I worked as the president of the Midwest Transport Entrepreneurs Association for 29 years. I am still in a leadership role. However, I have handed over the responsibility to others. Through this organization, I have created employment opportunities for thousands of youth. I have worked to make the transport business systematic, integrated and transparent. I also provided institutional support when a university was established in Surkhet. In addition, I am continuously involved in the fields of education, health, social services and development. I have been helping the general public in matters such as citizenship, land revenue, forest, police administration.

Isn't my brother's hand the main reason behind suddenly becoming a candidate?

My brother did not say that he would not come. - Bishnu Bahadur Khadka I did not have a prior plan to contest the election this time. After my brother decided not to contest the election, there was a kind of silence. There was intense pressure from workers and voters. Now it was said that you should contest the election. At that time, I was responsible for rebuilding my business and house. My house was burnt, my property was looted and my business was badly damaged in the Gen-G rebellion. There was a loss of about Rs 20-22 crore. So initially I was not interested in becoming a candidate. However, after discussions within the party and respecting the request of the workers, I finally became a candidate. My brother had no role in giving tickets.

You have supported my brother's politics all your life. But, hasn't the challenge increased in the same area when my brother is absent?

My brother is a person who practices politics of loyalty. He has gone from the Election Commission to the Supreme Court on his own regarding the issue related to the special general convention within the party. That is why it may have been uncomfortable to come in person. However, I called him and requested him to come. He has not said anything about whether he will come or not.

Hasn't there been any initiative to bring Dai to the district?

All local leaders and workers have said so. Dai has not said that he will not come. Being a person who practices politics of integrity, he went to the election office on his own with the issue related to the special general convention. He also went to court saying that the special general convention was held in a manner different from the statute. This may be the reason why he is uncomfortable. He is unlikely to come to the district. However, he is talking to all his friends on the phone. Video calls are being made. It was outwardly apparent that a few people would not cooperate at first. But, that is not the case now. The Congress has become united.

Didn't you call Dai yourself? Did you call him? He did not say that he would come, he did not say that he would come. You should start your preparations. He has said to prepare well. He may come to vote. He may not come before that. Congress leaders and workers have come to know why and for what reason he did not want to come. We are explaining this to our friends. We are also in frequent contact with our friends. During the program, we have spoken to many people through video calls. We have asked for votes over the phone. That situation is good.