As the silent period of the House of Representatives elections is about to begin, candidates across the country are rushing to the doorsteps of voters. They are busy remembering the voters who have missed their votes and joining hands to say 'Let's vote'. We found this situation in Rupandehi as well.

The candidates from this constituency were saying that they would be visiting the doorsteps of voters from 5 am to 12 midnight. UML candidate from Rupandehi-2 Bishnu Prasad Poudel was also in a similar hurry. We met him in Butwal, the UML vice-chairman, former finance minister, and multiple member of parliament, in a hurry to go to the voters. An edited excerpt of an interview with Poudel by Kantipur's Jaisingh Mahara about the election atmosphere, the hopes of voters and the assurances given by the candidates, the basis for victory, and the views on the election:

Election campaigning is in its final stages, what is the enthusiasm of voters regarding the election?

The campaign is very encouraging. In a way, the election is just a formal process to complete.

Does that mean you believe you will be elected or are you talking about the formality of the election?

In this election, the voters of Rupandehi-2 will make me victorious by voting heavily, breaking past records.

What is so special about this area that you are claiming victory before the election?

I did not claim it. That is what I get when I read the mindset of the people, the voters here. They have seen the work I have done. They have evaluated the work. They believe that a person who works, has worked, is a person who can work. What I felt was new in this election is that my competitors have not criticized me in the context of work. They have not said, 'I am a person who cannot work.' You have said that I have done remarkable work in the development of constituency number 2 of Rupandehi district. At the same time, we have confidence and trust in this district, this region, where we want to take it, to the height we want to take it.

What questions and expectations do the people have on you in the past elections in this constituency and in this election?

I have not had to face questions in the election. The people themselves are saying, 'You have done a good job, you should do even better.' You are saying that you trust me. Suggestions are being received from the perspective of doing even better.

There are new candidates from the Congress, NCP, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in your constituency, you are the only one who has repeated yourself. What is your opinion about the new competitors?

Elections are fresh elections, voters make fresh decisions in fresh competitions. The reading of the voters of this constituency is that Bishnu Poudel himself is new. Because I am thinking in a new way, working in a new way, and bringing a new vision. This time, we have done all these things, by doing one new thing after another, we have developed this place as a benchmark for infrastructure development in the country. We have also made human development a topic of discussion. Because of this, the voters believe that innovation and newness will fulfill the expectations from the leadership of Bishnu Poudel.

What are you promising the voters in this election?

I have said three things in the field of infrastructure development. We have completed many big projects of national pride, national priority and national importance and some are in the process. Therefore, we will operate and manage all the projects effectively. We will complete big projects under construction and other projects. That is where the 'game changer' projects fall in this field. This is the most developed district in the country in terms of infrastructure. Secondly, I will bring a program to develop employment and self-employment opportunities on a large scale along with education, health, and production centers, and to run tourism and industries. Thirdly, there is also a plan to develop service enterprises.

The problem of land titles of landless squatters in this constituency has been ongoing for decades, while on the other hand, the problem of river erosion has been seen. What are the plans to solve these problems?

To solve the landless squatter problem, we amended the law and formed a Land Commission. The Land Commission started its work. If you talk about this district, between 20,000 and 25,000 names had been collected in the meantime. I myself was present and worked for this. The situation came after the change of government on Bhadra 24. This government dissolved all the Land Commissions. Nothing was done after the Land Commission was dissolved. Now the Land Commission has been returned by the Supreme Court. I believe that now the work will have to be completed for the last time and without repetition. This work has reached a point where it will be completed within a certain time. The problem of squatters can be solved permanently. Talking about my constituency and this district, we have estimated that this work will be completed in a year.

As far as you talked about river erosion, we are thinking about its modality in a specific way. There is a plan to protect the settlements with concrete walls on three rivers including Tinau. Work is underway for that. In the meantime, there is a plan to build a strong structure for the protection of the settlements.

In this election, top leaders including UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Vice President Tapan, General Secretary Shankar Pokharel did not leave their constituencies. Why are they limited to their own areas?

There are countless leaders in our party. There are leaders who can handle their constituencies and bring success. Therefore, there is no need to help them win. On the other hand, we have also adopted a slightly original method of campaigning. We have done so in the belief that it is right to campaign in a format where the concerned candidates and the party leaders of that constituency engage in direct dialogue with the people, listen to and address the suggestions, criticisms and expectations of the people.

How much pressure is there on the UML candidates to bring the old leadership from the general convention?

They always make suggestions from their own angles. Suggestions and comments keep coming in democracy.

How many seats does the UML estimate it will win after this election?

I have not been able to analyze the overall situation in detail. Based on the information I have, we will at least become the first party. The basis for saying this is our organizational strength and the trust the people have in us. The UML organization is united and active.

They say that the buzz of 'new parties' is going on in this election, what is its impact in your constituency?