After photos of Balendra Shah meeting with religious leader Atmananda surfaced on social media, further interest has been generated at the political level.
What you should know
Leaders running for office in the Koshi region often start their election campaigns by visiting Kirat religious leader Atmananda Lingden in Larumba, Ilam. During the by-election in Ilam-1 last year, everyone from Congress Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma to Janmat Party President CK Raut had visited Larumba to meet the religious leader.
The tradition of senior leaders from former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal to the late UML leader Subash Nembang reaching Larumba to 'ensure victory' in elections is very old. Former Prime Minister KP Oli has been going to Larumba every year to seek 'blessings' from the guru. During the previous House of Representatives election, Oli had reached Larumba along with the former Speaker.
Senior leader of the Nepali Congress Party Balendra Shah, who had registered his candidacy in the same constituency before Oli, who became a candidate for the House of Representatives for the eighth time from Jhapa-5, has reached the 'steps' of the religious guru. Balendra surpassed Oli this time and reached the private ashram of religious guru Atmanand Lingden at Tokha-4 in Dhapasi Heights, Kathmandu on Magh 20 and sought his blessings. After the photos of Shah meeting with religious guru Atmanand went viral on social media, more interest has been generated at the political level.
For the candidates, the meeting with the religious leader of Larumba is considered an unofficial start of the election campaign. Followers of Kirat religious leader Atmananda Lingden are not limited to the areas around Phakfokthum, Mangsebung, Mai, Deumai and Chulaculi in Ilam. Their presence is also significant in Jhapa-5. Where this time former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Balendra are in the election fray.
Due to this influence, for decades, it has become a tradition for major leaders contesting elections in this area to visit Larumba and seek blessings. Top leaders from former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, late leader and former Speaker Subash Nembang to UML Chairman Oli have been accepting the meeting of the religious leader as an 'auspicious sign' for the election. Oli in particular goes to Larumba every year in the name of religious programs or for special meetings. Oli, who has become a candidate in this area for the eighth time, has been going to Larumba every time.
In his meeting with religious leader Atmananda, Shah had said – ‘I have come to receive blessings. Let me serve the country.’
In response, religious leader Atmananda’s response was, ‘Come to my house as the Prime Minister.’
The identity-based community is still unhappy with the naming of Koshi Province. The Kirat community is particularly unhappy. The religious leader himself has also been critical of the naming process. At this very time, Balendra’s closeness to the religious leader is being viewed with importance.
After registering his candidacy in Jhapa-5, Balendra had visited Pathibhara in Taplejung and before that, Ram-Janaki Temple in Janakpur.
*In the previous news, Balendra should have met Dharmaguru Atmananda in Kathmandu but met him in Larumba. -Editor
