Kathmandu Constituency No. 10. This constituency ends only after passing through Pharping, Dakshinkali and the last village, Chhaimle, towards Chure. The candidates have not yet reached every house, but the voters have written down a list of problems and points of concern that they will tell.

The list of voters' complaints is long - from the fact that the Bagmati water flowing nearby is not being used for irrigation to the plight of farmers' produce not getting market prices.

80-year-old Ghananath Chapagain was found on the main road leading to Ghumtipardi after passing the Dakshinkali temple on Wednesday. He said, 'It makes my heart cry when I see the Bagmati being wasted. The clods of soil in the farmers' fields have dried up due to lack of water. If there was an irrigation plan, where would the fields be barren this winter?'

In 2048 BS, this area was in constituency number 5. At that time, Madan Bhandari was elected from here. This constituency sent CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to the Constituent Assembly in 2064 BS. This area has seen seven elections till 2079 BS, but the complaints and concerns of this area change with each election.  When the constituency was redrawn, this area was number 5 in the 2048 BS general election.  In the 2051 BS and 2056 BS elections, this area was number 7.  Since the election of the Constituent Assembly formed in 2064 BS, this area was number 10.  After the democracy of 2046 BS, a big problem of unclaimed land arose here.  The problem of roads, electricity and drinking water was big.  Now the roads are good, electricity has reached every house.  Many landowners have also received certificates.  The compulsion to carry water in the pandera for drinking water and sanitation has almost gone.  But the issue of drinking water and irrigation that flows continuously around the clock is giving direction to the election debate of Kathmandu Constituency No. 10. 

Most voters, like Ghananath, mentioned the irrigation problem. And most voters said they were thinking of changing their votes this time. Ghananath said, 'I have decided to change my vote this time, father.'

Vishwanath Acharya of Ramche in Chhaim also looked puzzled by the 'old' leader. 'You cannot say that there is no development in democracy and democracy,' said Acharya while ordering 'Sugi Kam, Rang Kada' tea at a local shop. 'Hand tractors were distributed to those who did not have fields. Animal farms were given to those who did not raise goods. Real farmers could not get fertilizers, seeds, and markets on time.'

Chhaim is fertile land for pears, lapsi, cucumbers, and pumpkins. But farmers are harassed by middlemen and do not get fair market prices. Pesticides are used excessively. Acharya, a retired teacher from Shri Krishna Secondary School, says that these problems should be solved politically. 

Despite being close to the market, farmers involved in agriculture, animal husbandry and poultry farming are not happy.  Babu Tamang of Chhaim, Sheetal Chowk, expresses similar sorrow.  ‘I have planted two lots of chickens . Two lakhs are wasted . For a farmer, 2 lakhs is a very big investment . . 

Babu, who has been running a motorcycle workshop after his life as a farmer did not improve, said, ‘The price of chicken feed, which was available for 2500 rupees per bag, has gone up to 5 thousand rupees . But we have been selling chickens for 200 rupees for years . And how will the farmers survive ? The investment is not even raised ? The market is completely ruined . We need a plan to improve .’

Babu has 12/13 ropanis of land. He is not satisfied with the irrigation, and the drinking water service. 'Electricity has reached every place. There are no complaints about electricity. It would be a problem to bring water from the Bagmati down to our village! But drinking water can be distributed 24 hours a day, right? If there was at least drinking water, vegetables would grow in the fields,' he says.

He says that farmers are suffering double damage, 'During the monsoon, farmers have to sell cauliflower for 6/7 rupees per kilo, but in the winter we have to pay more than 100 rupees for the same cauliflower.' He says that cold storage is essential to preserve vegetables produced during the monsoon. 'We need seeds, fertilizers, and water when we need them. And then unemployment will go away. Otherwise, the village is emptying. Monkeys have started appearing in the village. How can we stop educated youth? What is there here?,' he says.

Every day, a large number of people come to Dakshinkali Municipality to get recommendations for visas to go abroad. Amrika Balami, the spokesperson for the municipality and the chairperson of Ward No. 9, Talku Daduchaur, said that this number will increase further if employment opportunities are not increased. ‘There are many degree holders in the village. They could not be connected to employment according to their ability,’ said Balami, ‘The youth started leaving the village and migrating either to the city or abroad. In the village, vegetable farming became the responsibility of women, while fruit farming was the responsibility of the elderly.’

There are two roads connecting Dakshinkali to the state capital Hetauda. Both are blacktopped. Around 1,200 vehicles ply on this road that passes through Balkhu daily. Of these, around 200 have Indian number plates, 4 to 500 are rented jeeps, and around 400 are private vehicles, said spokesperson Balami.

There is no shortage of passengers going abroad or returning from abroad in small rented vehicles and private vehicles. Dakshinkali Municipality is wishing that private hotels and resorts could be established to show the waterfalls and serve good quality food to the vehicles moving in such a large number.

‘Vehicles started moving at a fast pace on this road. Instead, let it be an hour late so that passengers can travel comfortably. Now, many electric vehicles are also seen. Charging stations are also necessary. Since this is an alternative border crossing to connect the Terai, it seems that the federal government should come up with big plans for roads and charging stations.’

Like Dakshinkali, Kirtipur also has a drinking water problem. The plan to distribute Melamchi water has not been completed. ‘Our municipality is moving ahead with the plan to distribute Melamchi water. But Kirtipur’s Mayor Krishnaman Dangol said, ‘The main problem here is the hospital. We need a 15-bed hospital, but we haven’t got it.’

The inner roads of Kirtipur have almost been blacktopped. With the expansion of the road, language centers teaching Korean and Japanese languages ​​are entering the villages towards Putalisadak and Bagbazar. ‘What does this indicate?’ To a question from Kantipur, Mayor Dangol said, ‘Kirtipur is a city with tourism potential. But the youth started going out due to unemployment.’

Kirtipur is no longer a farming town like it used to be. Land has been sold after being plotted. The locals have no other income. 5 out of 10 wards are in Thumko within the Ring Road. ‘The municipality has now come up with a plan to distribute sugar and blood pressure medicines for the elderly. Some should be given insulin. There are no young people at home . The only way to stop the youth is through tourism . But the government's policies and plans should also support . The municipality alone cannot do it,' said Mayor Dangol . 

Nagdhunga is located at the western border of Kathmandu area number 10 . 10 to 12 thousand vehicles pass through this border daily . In this process, Krishna Prasad Khadgi, who is also the chairman of ward number 4, was met in Thankot. 'What are the problems of the locals in recent days ?,' he said in response to Kantipur's question, 'Today's people need mobile-like services at their fingertips . It should be fast . But employees in government offices do not work on time .' 

According to Chandragiri Municipality data, there are 36 thousand households and a population of 150,000 .  Like in Kirtipur, 15/16 people reach the municipality daily to get recommendations to study abroad after completing Plus Two. 'Parties and leaders who come to seek votes in the elections should prioritize employment and good governance,' said Khadgi.

Ward No. 2, formerly Banbhanjyang VDC, is a border ward of Chandragiri. Ward chairman Bhai Krishna Tamang signs visa process documents for 10-15 students daily. He says that students are migrating because there are no employment opportunities. 'They will not migrate from outside to my ward,' he said, 'but the youth who are here have not been able to stay in the village.' Since Nagdhunga is close to the main border, locals believe that the process of migrating abroad for jobs could be stopped if industries are established.

Kathmandu constituency number 10 includes wards 2 to 11 of Kirtipur and Dakshinkali municipalities and Chandragiri municipality. Dakshinkali has a population of 35,000, Kirtipur has a population of 82,000 and Chandragiri has a population of around 150,000. Kathmandu constituency number 10, which has the potential for heritage and tourism, has 25 candidates in the election fray for the House of Representatives this time. 10 independents and representatives of 15 political parties have become candidates. 5 of these are women. There are 47 polling stations and 98 polling stations in Kathmandu-10.

UML has fielded 61-year-old Binod Shrestha as its candidate in Kathmandu-10. Shrestha is a leader from a labor political background. His priority is service and social transformation rather than office. He said that he would take the initiative for practical solutions to local problems, in accordance with the spirit of the constitution, for social justice, equality, and expansion of opportunities.

Congress leader Rajendra Kumar KC (Rajan), who scored a hat-trick in Kathmandu-10, has taken a leave of absence from parliamentary politics. After KC cleared the way, the Congress has fielded 55-year-old Himal Karki as its candidate. Karki's election issue is self-employment. 'The manifesto is coming in a few days. We will go to the voters by linking it to the local level, the problems and agenda here,' Karki told Kantipur on Friday morning after addressing a gathering of workers in Rakitipur.

NCP candidate Rupa Maharjan, 45, wants to work for stability and good governance. 'Good governance and corruption are our agenda,' said Rupa, who hails from Satungal, Chandragiri. 'I am also making people aware of the responsibility to protect the country and the constitution.'

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has fielded Pradeep Bista of Kirtipur Dudhpokhari as its candidate. He was also the leader of the Congress' youth wing, Tarun Dal. He is planning to release a blueprint on the problems and agenda of this region. 'Kathmandu region number 10 is a very rural area. The people here are facing problems from the time they wake up in the morning to the time they go to bed. That is why I have formed an expert team and decided what can be done immediately. I am forming a secretariat of experts to decide what can be done in the long term.'

Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal won both Rolpa and Kathmandu-10 regions in the 2064 BS Constituent Assembly elections. He defeated KC. In 2070, KC took revenge on Dahal for 2064. In 2074, Dahal did not contest in Kathmandu-10, known as the Red Fort. KC also won the 2074 and 2079 elections and scored a hat-trick. In 048, Madan Bhandari won the elections in Kathmandu-1 and 5. After he left the constituency number 5, a by-election was held there. UML's Krishna Gopal Shrestha also won the by-election.

Similarly, in the 051 general election, Krishna Gopal Shrestha was elected from this constituency for the second time. In the 056 general election, Congress' Tirtharam Dangol defeated Shrestha.

Election gossip and anecdotes are currently going on in the village. But the leaders of all the parties have not yet reached the village gate. Ravi KC, a teacher of Seti Devi Secondary School, Sokhel, was conducting extracurricular activities for the students in the square near the dam of Nepal's first Pharping Power House in Dakshinkali-Bhanjyang. This power house, located in the lap of Bagmati, is still generating electricity today. But KC's concerns go beyond the bright lights - the drying water sources and the gradually emptying village are weighing heavily on his mind.

A teacher for 37 years, 57-year-old KC is not only a local but also an intellectual of the region. He says, 'There are many problems here.' Many big leaders contested elections from here. But most of them came and went like tourists. This time, the villagers have changed their minds. Now they are looking for leaders who will work and support the people in times of trouble.'

As the class bell was about to ring, he added, 'Farmers are looking for wide roads, markets, timely fertilizer, seeds, irrigation, canals, water and fair prices for their produce. Those who address these demands will get votes.' We will no longer vote for those who do not answer the phone after winning.'