Due to the elections, the district's villages and hills have returned to life. There have been more people moving around Bataghat. Whether they are busy working in the fields or gathering at the village shops, everyone seems to be busy with election talk.

At present, no matter where they are, everyone seems to be focused on the House of Representatives elections to be held on Falgun 21.

Candidates from 9 parties are in the fray in Doti, which has only one constituency. The main competition in the district is between the Congress, UML and the Nepal Communist Party (NCP). As the voting approaches, the candidates themselves are bringing back voters who are outside the district. Some are spontaneously returning to see the election atmosphere and vote.

The party's election campaign has erased the distance between villages and cities. Candidates are reaching voters' doorsteps through the narrow streets of the district. There is a debate about village development and employment in tea shops too. Youth are busy supporting and criticizing on social media.

This time, voters are emphasizing who will work rather than who will win the election. Emotional attachment, family ties and old political loyalties still seem to influence the decision of voters. The Congress still has faith in its traditional organizational strength.

The fact that the mayor of 7 municipalities and deputy mayor of one municipality were elected in the 2079 local level elections has strengthened the confidence of the Congress. ‘Doti is our common home,’ said Congress candidate Bharat Bahadur Khadka, ‘The soil here, the hills, the dreams of the youth here and the hopes of the parents are my strength.’ He says that development will not be limited to slogans but will be worked on by making a plan.

The shadow of internal discord that has been cast within the Congress in the past has not yet disappeared. Congress workers still admit that victory will be easy if they are united. They say that it will be difficult to achieve victory if they are divided. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) candidate Narendra Bahadur Khadka seems to be a challenge for the Congress this time. The question of how many votes Khadka, who comes from a Congress background, will attract has created a stir within the party.

This time, the UML has adopted a strategy to convert the attraction of the new generation into votes by making Deepak Dhami, who emerged from student politics, a candidate. ‘The country wants change and it is the youth who will bring that change,’ Dhami said, ‘In Doti, it is not just promises, but clear plans and honest leadership that will work.’

He said that a long-term plan will be made in roads, irrigation, education and health while creating opportunities in agriculture, tourism and small industries. He said that the goal is to make the youth self-reliant through modern agriculture linked to technology, skill-based training and entrepreneurship programs.

The candidacy of former Chief Minister and NCP candidate Trilochan Bhatta has added enthusiasm to the party. ‘I have taken forward development work in all 65 wards of Doti since I took charge,’ said Bhatta, ‘I am confident that voters will evaluate my work and support me.’ Even though the organization is weak, his strategy is to attract votes through the ‘politics of work’ he has done.’