Dr. Minendra Rijal is currently in a door-to-door campaign in his constituency Morang-2. While UML has fielded Dilip Bagadia to court the Madheshi vote, Rijal faces a unique challenge from the rising popularity of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) figures like Balen Shah among the youth. Despite internal party rift following a recent special general convention, Rijal remains confident. Against this backdrop, Nepalkhabar caught up with Rijal for his views on its talk show, TATKALAI. Excerpts:
Why are you contesting elections from Morang-2 again?
This region is historic. Sixty percent of this area repeatedly elected Girija Prasad Koirala, and other parts elected leaders like Bharat Mohan Adhikari. It is even the home of Madan Bhandari. In 2017, when the leftist alliance was dominant, nobody believed I could win, but the local workers’ energy carried me through. I was the only Congress candidate to win in Morang then. I am running to continue the development projects I started and to honor the trust the voters placed in me.
You won unexpectedly in 2017 but didn't contest in 2022. What are your main challenges now?
My primary challenge is completing unfinished infrastructure. Specifically, building the bridge over the Bakra River and implementing embankment projects on various rivers are my top priorities. My focus remains entirely on delivering tangible development to the people.
Previously, it was a two-party race. Does the presence of RSP make this election difficult for you?
There are 17 candidates, including four independents and parties like RSP and JSP. While there is competition, I don't see it as an insurmountable hurdle. The final result remains to be seen, but the traditional base of Congress and UML is now being tested by these new entrants.
How confident are you about a Congress victory on March 4?
I feel quite comfortable. My main UML opponent was unsuccessful even at the local municipal level. Interestingly, he seems hesitant to even put his own party chairman’s photo on his posters. If a candidate is afraid to identify with their leadership or name their prime ministerial choice, the "unease" is clearly on their side, not mine.
There is internal friction within Congress regarding the recent special convention. Won't this bitterness affect your performance?
Internal debates are natural. However, we are all contesting under a ticket signed by Gagan Thapa. Once the tickets are distributed, the leadership is accepted. Across 165 constituencies, there are very few rebels, which shows Congress is remarkably united. In Morang-2 specifically, internal disputes have settled, and everyone is working toward a common goal. We can resume our internal ideological debates after the election.
Congress has projected Gagan Thapa as the PM candidate. Will the party stand by him after the election?
I am running on a ticket signed by Gagan Thapa. The Central Committee made that decision, and I have no reason to question it. My focus is on my constituency, where this isn't even a point of contention. My role has been to keep the party united during this transition, and we are heading to the polls with a shared commitment.
As a leader known for data analysis, what is your prediction for the March 4 results?
Usually, I analyze the whole country, but this time I am laser-focused on Morang-2. Based on what I see, there is no doubt that Nepali Congress will emerge as the largest party in the first-past-the-post (FPTP) elections. My priority is ensuring that victory starts right here.
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