To Defeat Oli, Not to Elect Balen — The ‘South-West’s’ Big Bet on Damak’s ‘Development’?
Jhapa, February 20: As the electoral dynamics of Jhapa-5 capture the attention of national politics, a particular discussion has significantly heated up the atmosphere. This discourse suggests that the contest has transformed into a ‘big investment’ aimed more at defeating KP Sharma Oli than at electing Balen Sah.
According to local sources, there is talk of a substantial amount of money flowing in from the ‘south and west’ (India) under the guise of ‘Damak’s development’. Local analysts suggest this investment transcends physical infrastructure and is linked to electoral strategy.
KP Sharma Oli is a leader who has been consistently elected from Jhapa-5. In the 2022 election, he secured victory with over 52,000 votes. However, this time, the electoral equation has changed entirely with the entry of Balen Sah, a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), into the fray.
In the 2022 elections, the RSP had garnered over 18,000 votes in Jhapa-5 under the proportional representation category. It is estimated that around 10,000 new voters have been added this time, most of whom are from the younger generation, and their inclination appears to be towards the RSP, according to analysis.
Oli has also changed his strategy this time. Previously known for holding large rallies and meetings only at select locations, Oli is now busy with door-to-door campaigning. He has adopted a style of visiting voters’ homes, listening to their grievances, and taking photos. Just on Sunday, he was seen interacting with locals at a crossroads in Kamal Rural Municipality.
Balen Sah, meanwhile, is sticking to his own style. Continuing his nationwide ‘road show’, he met with supporters in the Damak bazaar area on Sunday. His distinct style was also evident when he visited Oli’s election office in Damak, shook hands with the workers gathered there, and left.
Apart from Oli and Balen, many others have filed their candidacies in Jhapa-5. However, the discussion continues to revolve around Oli and Balen. At one event, Oli remarked sarcastically, “No house here, no rented room, no relatives, no neighbors. When such people come, why is there such a massive clash?”
This election is considered a ‘test of image, responsibility, and political future’ for Oli, while for Balen, it is seen as a referendum on pro-western and ‘anti-system’ sentiment.
It remains to be seen what results the voting on February 21 will yield. But one thing is certain—the mystery of the external investment that flowed in under the name of Damak’s ‘development’ and its impact on the election outcome will soon be revealed.
