After repeated failures by leaders who have had opportunities, the UML's young candidate in Kaski has 'chapter closed'. The UML, which had previously won all three constituencies, is facing a dilemma in selecting candidates.
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Before the UML finalized the direct candidates for constituencies across the country, there was talk of new and young candidates getting tickets from three constituencies in Kaski. UML cadres had already started writing on social media that Dilip Neupane from Constituency No. 1, Rashmi Acharya from Constituency No. 2, and Madhav Bastola from Constituency No. 3 were certain to get tickets. But in the end, none of them got the ticket.
Contrary to the expectations of most leaders and workers of UML Kaski, Bain Bahadur Adhikari from 1, Krishna Thapa from 2 and Damodar Poudel 'Bairagi' from 3 have got tickets.
Adhikari, who got the ticket in Kaski-1, is the chairman of UML Kaski. This is his first candidacy in the parliamentary elections after becoming the head of the District Coordination Committee. Thapa from Kaski-2 is a leader who has previously been the mayor of the then Pokhara Sub-metropolitan City and a member of the Gandaki Province Assembly. He was defeated despite getting the ticket for the Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor last time. He had expressed his intention to contest the election for the last time while running for the Metropolitan City Mayor.
Poudel, who got the ticket in Kaski-3, was elected as a member of the House of Representatives last time. UML's Man Bahadur Gurung was elected in Kaski-1 and Vidya Bhattarai in 2.
Activists have expressed concern that UML, which had previously won all three constituencies, may lose due to the selection of candidates. Dissatisfaction is being expressed on social media, saying that the results may be different if the party leadership does not understand the situation after the Gen-G movement. A youth leader from UML Kaski, who has been raising the voice that the party should field young and new candidates, has argued that the party did not understand the ‘ground’ while selecting candidates.
UML youth leader Madhav Bastola was an aspirant in Constituency No. 3. His name was also recommended from that constituency. But he expressed dissatisfaction, saying that in his constituency, the people choose one and the leaders choose another. ‘There is nothing to say about the decision made by the party, it would have been better if it had been made after understanding the ground,’ he said, ‘There should be a brutal review after the election. I am in the mood to discuss and debate with the leadership.’
Even though the constituency is an area with UML’s popular base, he believes that the selection of candidates will also affect the results. ‘Those organized in the party are disciplined, we will not let the situation escalate,’ he said, ‘but having a young candidate would have had another impact on the people.’
Young leader Dilip Neupane, who is aspiring in Kaski 1, says that it was not unexpected as the candidate was selected from among the recommendations. However, he admitted that voters are looking for a new face due to the demands of the time and circumstances. ‘There is a public complaint that the party has not been able to keep up with the demands of the time,’ he said, ‘It is natural for people to complain when the candidate as expected does not come, but we will manage it.’
UML central member Rashmi Acharya, who is being discussed as a strong contender for the ticket in Constituency No. 2, said that she will play a role in taking the party’s decision to the people. ‘We have already placed our votes in the relevant places before the decision is made,’ he said, ‘Now we will work to maintain the legacy of UML in Kaski.’
