KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has won Kathmandu Ward No. 16 for the first time in the local level by-election.
Of the 44 seats, the RSP secured victory in the urban areas of Kathmandu. Rojina Shrestha, who won the Kathmandu 16 ward chair, received 1,584 votes.
Her closest competitor, Nepali Congress’s Devendra Pathak, garnered 1,304 votes, while UML’s Laxmi Ratna Tuladhar came in third with 1,218 votes.
In Kathmandu 16, Min Bahadur Manandhar of CPN-UML, backed by the Maoist Center, obtained 651 votes.
RPP’s Shyam Krishna Shrestha secured 622 votes. Independent candidates Devendra Kumar Shrestha and Shyam Shakya received 314 and 118 votes, respectively.
Kathmandu 16 was previously held by prominent Nepali Congress leader Mukundar Rijal.
After his passing away, the RSP secured the ward. Notably, Rojina has now become the first female ward chairperson out of the 32 ward chairs in Kathmandu.
Who is Rojina?
Rojina, 46, is a local social worker and entrepreneur. Born in Kathmandu-16, she resides in Chamati Chowk. She runs a hardware shop in Balaju Chowk and lives there with her family.
Rojina completed her SLC at Tarun High School in Kathmandu-16. She holds a Master’s degree in management with a first-class distinction in statistics and has also completed her bachelor’s degree in law.
When asked by Khabarhub how someone with a law background entered politics, she explained, “I studied law for intellectual growth and to advocate for people’s rights. It was never intended as a profession, but I believe women should study law.”
Having learned the value of community service from her mother, Rojina ran health camps in Balaju Baisedhara and surrounding areas while working in a nursing home.
She has been an active volunteer in women’s groups, leading events in Guthi, Jatra, and festivals.
Rojina views herself as a servant of the people, committed to driving development and income generation for Kathmandu-16.
With an influx of new residents to the area, she is determined to address their concerns.
She attributes much of her political success to the full support of her husband.
“His backing has been crucial to my journey,” Rojina says. “If he hadn’t supported me so strongly, it would have been difficult for me. The people of my ward are my gods, and I will work as their servant.”
Rojina plans to focus on results in the next two years, ensuring tangible improvements in her ward’s development.
Political journey
Though Rojina wasn’t initially interested in politics, she had been in touch with political parties since their formation.
She joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party in the 2079 BS federal elections and is also the regional chair of the party for Constituency-7.
She had frequently raised concerns about the lack of information regarding free health insurance for senior citizens in the ward.
As part of her campaign, she personally visited senior citizens’ homes, helped complete forms, and delivered insurance cards to their doorsteps. This effort was pivotal in her election victory.
Rojina is also confident in her understanding of the law and is committed to fulfilling the responsibilities of the ward chair according to the Local Government Operation Act.
She believes that representatives should rise above party politics and serve the people genuinely, a principle she follows herself.
A conversation with Rojina:
Congratulations on your new role! Did you ever envision entering politics in this way?
In fact, I never thought I’d enter politics. My law studies were for personal interest, and I’ve always been a businessperson.
However, I wanted to serve the people and contribute to society. I joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party during the 2079 BS elections, which gave me the opportunity to engage in alternative politics.
Now, with the support of the ward residents, I am here to serve. The party is simply a medium, and without the support of the people of my ward, I wouldn’t be here. I’m committed to contributing to Ward No. 16 as a servant of the people, facing both opportunities and challenges.
As the only female ward chairperson in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, how do you plan to present yourself?
I sincerely thank my party and the people for this opportunity. They’ve shown trust in women. I work selflessly.
My priority will be to connect with the people, listen to their concerns, and address the issues facing the ward.
I’ve just been elected, and after receiving my certificate today, I’ll take the oath tomorrow.
Then, I’ll assess the situation and complete any pending work. I plan to carry forward the work left behind by Mukunda brother, my predecessor.
The people have high hopes for the youth. Do you have a plan for the work you must accomplish?
Yes, there is a lot of work to be done. Service recipients often feel confused when they come to the ward office.
To address this, I will establish a help desk to assist them, making the process smoother.
I will also assess the existing problems and identify areas that need improvement. My goal is to provide the necessary support to help the youth become self-reliant and capable, ensuring that everyone has access to the services they need.
Until yesterday, I was just an ordinary person. But after being elected, I am now a public figure.
While working in various roles, I have listened to the complaints of the people. I won’t let these issues persist during my tenure. I am committed to providing equal service to all, without favoritism.
There are complaints that local government services are not being delivered according to their scope, and that ward chairs are not truly serving the people or reaching the neighborhoods. Is that correct?
Yes, this is my top priority. Since Kathmandu 16 is an urban area, I will first identify the issues in the local communities.
I plan to engage with both the people’s representatives and the residents of each area to discuss how we can solve these problems.
I will address the issues to the best of my ability, but as a servant of the people, I will listen to everyone’s concerns and prioritize them accordingly.
I have heard complaints like the ones you mentioned, and I assure you that I will not repeat the mistakes of the past.
What are the main problems you’ve identified in your ward?
The issues vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. One of the main concerns is the condition of the roads—many have potholes, and there are problems with dust and smoke. Some areas lack CCTV cameras or proper street lighting.
Additionally, there are complaints about the lack of ward facilities. These are just a few examples, but I will assess the situation in each neighborhood and develop a plan to address these problems.
In the metropolis, you are the only representative from the RSP, with other ward members from different parties. Does that make it difficult to work?
We are all public servants, regardless of the party we were elected from. Our primary goal is good governance and serving the people.
That is what the people expect from us. I don’t think working with members from other parties will be difficult.
They have valuable experience, and I will learn from them. While I may know some things, I will coordinate with them and seek their guidance as they have more experience than I do. We will work together to serve the people and develop the neighborhood.
Comment