Sampang, who became the mayor as an independent candidate, has recently been in the news again, especially after raising the issue of the drinking water problem prevalent in Dharan. His journey, which began in the name of labor, cleanliness, and public participation, has now taken a new turn.
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Before becoming the mayor of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City, Harka Raj Rai (Harka Sampang) was a social activist. Sampang, who became the mayor as an independent candidate, has recently been in the news again, especially after raising the issue of the drinking water problem prevalent in Dharan. His journey, which began in the name of labor, cleanliness and public participation, has now taken a new turn.
He has started his journey from independent mayor to party leader . In the 2079 local elections, Sampang came into the limelight as an independent candidate . He did not have a strong organization . Nor did he have a large campaigning mechanism . However, voters believed in Sampang as a 'working man' .
The scenes of clean water, sanitation, and labor donation campaigns filled the people of Dharan with new energy . He became the mayor on that very ground. Sampang, who carries stones in Dharan, cleans drains, and enjoys sunbathing with the people, has now become 'everyone's man' among the people . For this reason, every one of his activities has been receiving national attention .
The chair of the mayor alone did not fulfill his goal . He has repeatedly said, ‘The system itself is broken, not just the individual, but the policy and structure need to change.’ This thinking did not allow him to remain independent anymore, but led him towards organized politics.
On 7 Asoj, he registered the ‘Shram Sanskriti Party’ with the Election Commission. The party’s election symbol is ‘Mato Ko Dhisko’. Which gives a glimpse of his ‘earthly politics’. On 7 Asoj, he organized a meeting in Kakadbhitta, the eastern border of the country, to convey the message that he was moving from an independent to a party-based politics.
Although it was called ‘Shram Abhiyan Declaration Meeting’, the main objective of the meeting was to convey the message of party registration to the people. After receiving the party registration certificate from the Election Commission, he is busy holding meetings in various districts. The journey, starting from the eastern Terai, is focused on the eastern hills.
Party structure and message
A five-member central office bearer and a 23-member committee have been proposed for the party headed by Sampang himself. Like other mainstream parties, his party headquarters is in Kathmandu. Sampang plans to expand branches in all seven provinces soon.
By naming the party 'Labor Culture', he has tried to link politics with labor and public service. His close associates say, 'We do politics of public service, not power.' Sampang has also accelerated the expansion of the organization. He took the first organizational step from Dharan.
Dharan-16 Jorasakhuwa recently organized a program to form the Dharan Sub-metropolitan Committee of the Labor Culture Party. The committee formed under the leadership of Dinesh Bantawa Rai is now moving aggressively in expanding the organization.
Leaders and workers affiliated with old parties have also started joining Sampang's party. Some identity-based leaders have also started walking with him. Many youths from Dharan, who have been associated with Sampang's 'Clean Governance' and 'Shramdaan' campaigns, have also automatically joined the party.
Sampang is very active on social media. He speaks in a catchy manner, which attracts supporters. At the same time, he excites critics equally. Sometimes Sampang's posts targeting Kathmandu Mayor Balen Sah, sometimes ministers, generate both debate and controversy.
Sampang speaks in the language of everyday life rather than polite speeches. This is why the people consider him their own. When a person who has come forward with the identity of independence forms a party, the question naturally arises, is Hark Sampang no longer 'independent'? Will the burden of running the party, making policies, and competing in elections suppress his originality? Political analysts say, 'Sampang's political future will now depend on his organizational ability and stable strategy.'
If the Shram Sanskriti Party can win the hearts and votes of the people, it is certain that it will soon emerge as a new political force. Will it be able to give a new turn to the country's politics? Time will tell.
