Demand for Dudejhari industrial zone emerges as key issue in Kailali-2 election campaign

Dhangadhi: While the electoral environment in Kailali Constituency No. 2, considered the gateway to the Far West, appears calm externally, candidates are actively campaigning door-to-door, holding meetings, and engaging with voters. During these interactions, various personal and collective demands are being raised.

The stalled proposal for the Dudejhari Industrial Zone has emerged as a central agenda for local voters. Spanning 1,093 bighas in Lamkichuha Municipality-3, the project has seen no progress from the federal government since 2075 BS. Preliminary studies indicate the potential to establish 317 industries, ranging from large to small-scale operations.

In addition to industrial development, residents are emphasizing youth self-employment, agricultural modernization, education reform, and infrastructure development. Civic leader Nar Bahadur Rawal stressed that the industrial zone’s establishment is the priority, alongside demands for good governance and an end to corruption. Similarly, Lamkichuha Chamber of Commerce and Industry General Secretary Pushparaj Dhakal highlighted the need for prioritizing the Dudejhari Industrial Zone, improving government education, promoting self-employment, and developing the Chisapani-Kuine road.

The constituency, extending from Chisapani through Lamki to the hilly region of Mohanyal, is witnessing intensified competition between established parties and emerging forces. The UML, Nepali Congress, and Nepali Communist Party maintain strong organizational presence, while candidates from the Nagarik Unmukti Party and Rastriya Swatantra Party are also actively contesting.

Candidates in the fray include Surya Bahadur Thapa from UML, Vijay Swar from Congress, and Nanda Bahadur Saud from the Nepali Communist Party. KP Khanal of the Rastriya Swatantra Party has emphasized corruption control, good governance, and youth employment, while Patiram Chaudhary of Naupa Nepal is gaining attention due to strong support from the Tharu community.

In the 2079 House of Representatives elections, Arun Chaudhary of the former Citizens’ Liberation Party won from this constituency, which also saw the party securing the highest proportional representation votes. Currently, Kailali-2 has 107,755 registered voters and encompasses Mahonyal Rural Municipality, Lamkichuha Municipality, Bardagoriya Rural Municipality, and Janaki Rural Municipality.

As election campaigns intensify, development, employment, and good governance have emerged as the dominant topics of debate in Kailali-2.