In Mofla village of Hima Rural Municipality-2 in Jumla, CPN candidate Naresh Bhandari and UML candidate Shantilal Mahat drank morning tea together on Monday. They not only drank tea, but also shared cordiality with each other. They exchanged election experiences. They even managed to ask for votes together.

The voters here are excited to see the cordiality between them, while the leaders and workers are surprised. Locals said that they have not seen such meetings, closeness and sharing of cordiality between the candidates in any previous election.

‘There was a sweet chat over a sip of morning tea,’ said Jayakrishna Acharya, who was deployed in the election campaign with Naresh Bhandari. ‘Despite their different political journeys, there was a beautiful reflection of mutual respect and harmony between the candidates. This is also the beauty of democracy. Competition and respect.’

On Saturday evening, UML's Shantilal Mahat, who had reached the village of Hima-5 Bua, the village of Congress candidate Deep Bahadur Shahi, had called Shahi and asked for votes. He said, 'I am coming to your village to ask for votes. Sir, you have to ask for votes.' To Mahat's proposal, Congress candidate Shahi had said, 'Warmly welcome, brother.' Leaders and activists said that they are also having tea together from time to time.

In Ransa village of Tila Rural Municipality-9, Progressive Democratic Party candidate Manarishi Dhital and Congress candidate Deep Bahadur Shahi also met cordially. They exchanged news about election activities and good news.

There are currently 10 candidates in the election fray in Jumla. They have neither used abusive language against each other, nor have they considered any candidate as a competitor. The candidates say that despite entering the election field with different political beliefs and views, they are showing cordiality, saying that they should join hands for overall development after the election.

Progressive Democratic Party candidate Dhital has even met UML candidate Shantilal Mahat during the campaign and exchanged greetings. Photos of the cordial meeting between the candidates are getting a place on social media. They said that such things are also getting the support of the voters.

In Jumla, some candidates are at the doorsteps of voters with pledges, some with pledges, some with resolutions, and some with manifestos. Rather than opposing each other, they are seeking votes with a blueprint for solving the basic needs of the people. Their campaign, which was previously limited to door-to-door, has now become widespread on social media. That is the only difference.

Local Birkh Bahadur Budha said that this time the campaigning style among the candidates was very soft and friendly rather than flamboyant.

‘Earlier, it used to be difficult to meet the candidates themselves. There used to be disputes between the candidates’ supporters. Most of the supporters did not speak to each other even for a year and a half after the election,’ he said, ‘But this time, since there is an understanding between the candidates, there is no significant difference between the supporters.’

In this election in Jumla, Gyan Bahadur Shahi and Naresh Bhandari are trying to repeat their party’s victory. Apart from them, eight other candidates are trying to repeat their party’s victory, while others are trying to create history by opening their party’s account after many years. In any case, there is no doubt that this election in Jumla will be a very peaceful and fair election due to the sincerity of the candidates and the decency of the supporters.

Although earlier the candidate used to consider himself a tough competitor and behave like an enemy, this time it is seen that he is engaged in peaceful campaigning with an agenda to work for the welfare of the entire Jumla population. Currently, campaigning is being carried out in all 60 wards of the 8 local levels of the district. Voters in the village too have been treating all candidates equally. No matter what the candidate may have, the treatment they receive has been seen to be the same as that of the voters. ‘Even if he comes to the field with different political views now, he will be the leader of all after winning,’ said local voter Man Bahadur Budha, ‘That is why we have also been treating him equally. This is a good thing.’