Nepali Congress Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat is a close aide of Prime Minister and party president Sher Bahadur Deuba. 

Mahat, who heads the local election campaign department of the Nepali Congress, has also worked as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Energy

Khabarhub’s Laxman Phuyal asked a couple of questions to Dr. Mahat in a conversation on upcoming local elections, NC’s preparations, state of electoral alliance, among other issues: Excerpts:

How is Nepali Congress preparing for the local elections?

We have already initiated the election campaign, particularly what we have said “door-to-door” campaign. It’s in a full swing. Party cadres and supporters are enthusiastically pursuing it. The door campaign has been launched in every ward. The party has also issued a circular to the local level to take discussions forward with other political parties by setting up a mechanism at different levels. Our party will form an electoral alliance as per necessity.

What is the agenda and commitment of the Nepali Congress in this election?

Local-level elections were held for the first time in 2074 BS after the establishment of the federal structure. The party is of the view that the local bodies should be strengthened, the daily needs of the people should be fulfilled and the basic needs of the service sector should be implemented by the local bodies from the grassroots level. These are our commitments. On the whole, the key issue is how to bring prosperity and access to prosperity to the common people in the respective places through local government.

Nepali Congress has issued circulars in all 77 districts and all 753 local levels, instructing them to recommend and send the names of the candidates by April 5. How does NC distribute tickets to its candidates?

The Nepali Congress has divided power among different levels. The regional committee will decide at the ward level. If there is no consensus, it will be decided at the regional level. It will be decided by the district committee of the village municipality. The center will decide on the issue of the metropolis. However, every effort has been made to reach a consensus in the concerned ward, town, or village. The center also oversees it through a monitoring mechanism. If the alliance is deemed necessary, its coordination is also discussed at the concerned level. The center monitors it. The center then gives instructions. This is how we give the tickets.

UML has been claiming that it would bring a majority in the upcoming local elections. What is your opinion?

This is not unusual. Every party says so. If UML claims of getting a majority, we have no objection. But people have not forgotten that the UML-led government dissolved the Parliament twice. Several cases of corruption have been reported during UML’s rule. People will evaluate. Every citizen has individual freedom and rights. 

Nepali Congress has decided to forge an electoral alliance on the basis of necessity. However, people are susceptible to this decision. Why is it so?

In fact, people are suspicious and it is a human tendency. People don’t believe unless a decision is made. It is also complicated in some places. If the parties concerned demand more than their base of support, it will be difficult to reach a consensus. 

How do you address the dissatisfaction of the cadres that NC compelled them to vote for other parties going against NC’s policy, principles, and the spirit of the organization?

Electoral alliance is not a matter of sentiment. It is a matter of strategy. We have different streams of thought. Decisions are made based on each other’s needs. No one will vote unilaterally. The goal is that everyone in the alliance should win. If we go to the polls alone, we will get fewer seats. Forging an alliance is to get more seats. 

Will this ruling coalition last till the next House of Representatives election?

We are moving in the direction of electoral coordination in the upcoming election as well. We intend to coordinate with other parties in the ruling coalition and face the elections.