”UML is the first party in Jumla. But technical weaknesses within the party are becoming a means to lose the election. We will not let that happen in this election,” said UML candidate from Jumla Shantilal Mahat. ”We are on a campaign to win the election this time and restore our long-lost reputation.”
What you should know
Despite its strong hold in Karnali, the CPN-UML has not been able to field a candidate in Jumla since 2056 BS. Sometimes it has been content with the runner-up position and sometimes with the third position. But this time, 62-year-old Shantilal Mahat, the chairman of UML Jumla, says that he has registered his candidacy in the race to become the winner.
He claims that he will emerge as the winner this time as the UML District Committee has a single recommendation with the support of everyone and the immense support of leaders and workers. Mahat, who has a permanent home in Mahatgaun, Chandannath Municipality-7, Jumla, was previously active in social service.
After registering his candidacy at the main election office on Tuesday, Mahat has intensified his meetings with leaders, workers and supporters. However, he is asking for votes by going door to door in the settlements around Khalanga. Mahat, who has put forward his activism from the beginning and the lessons learned from the past as the formula for success, says that he is working hard to win the hearts of voters with various agendas.
UML Jumla won Devi Lal Thapa from here in the 2056 BS election. He has not been able to make any election favorable to him since then. UML supporters say that they were defeated due to intense internal strife and lack of unity among leaders and workers. ‘Even if they can stop the internal conflict within the party, Mahat is sure to be the winner,’ said a UML worker.
In the 2064 BS elections, UML leader Dilli Bahadur Mahat became a candidate. At that time, he was pushed to third place because he was a member of the then CPN-Maoist. In Jumla, he was considered an influential leader within the UML. In the 2070 BS elections, Padam Rokaya was put forward as a candidate. He succeeded in bringing him to second place.
In 2074 BS, the CPN-Maoist and UML merged to form the CPN. Gajendra Bahadur Mahat of the Maoists got the candidate of the alliance. UML supported Mahat when it could not get a candidate. In 2079 BS, CPN-UML central member Ratannath Yogi entered the fray as a direct candidate in the elections. He came in third place. Gyan Bahadur Shahi of RPP won.
Learning from all these elections, this time UML has sent Shantilal Mahat to the election field. Mahat has been saying that his candidacy is against anti-nationalism, burning of physical structures and violent acts. He argues that the Nepali people want to see UML as the first party to maintain political stability in the country and realize a happy Nepali and a prosperous Nepal.
Mahat, who received party membership underground from NEMKIPA since 2038 BS, joined the CPN-ML in 2047 BS and joined the CPN-UML politics. From ward chairman to chairman of the Squatters Commission, he has been involved in social service for a long time.
He registered his candidacy as the mayor of Chandannath Nagar in the 2074 BS local level elections. He was defeated by Kantika Sejuwal of the Congress. He has been the party's district committee chairman since 2077. To become the first in the election, the challenge is to defeat nine competitors who have registered their nominations with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.
He will have to get more votes than the current main competitors, Naresh Bhandari of the NCP, Deep Bahadur Shahi of the Congress, and Gyan Bahadur Shahi of the RPP. For this, Mahat himself admits that he has no choice but to enter the slums with a soft campaign style and an agenda to win the hearts of voters. 'UML is the first party in Jumla.' But the technical weaknesses within the party are becoming a means to lose the election. We will not let that happen in this election,' Mahat said. 'This time, we are on a campaign to win back the long-lost reputation by winning the election.'
