The Nepal Weekly 
December 13, 2022
(Biraj Bhakta Shrestha is one of the seven candidates who have won Parliamentary seats under direct election on behalf of Rastriya Swotantra Party formed by former TV journalist Ravi Lamichhane just six months ago. Shrestha has been elected to the House of Representatives directly from Kathmandu – 8 constituency with the symbol bell. Here are excerpts from an encounter with Parliament Member Shrestha.)
The Nepal Weekly: How busy are you celebrating your victory after being elected to the member of the House of Representatives from Kathmandu – 8 ?
Biraj Bhakta: Rather than being victorious, I consider that I have been elected to the Parliament. Its not like defeating somebody and winning something as if in the war. We had participated in a fair competition and the people of Kathmandu – 8 elected me through democratic exercise.
TNW: How are you spending time these days, especially after being elected to the HoR?
Biraj: I found there is tremendous enthusiasm in the people of my constituency after the election. People have lots of hope and expectations from our party RSP. The voters are pressing me to raise issues like good governance and anti-corruption in a strong way. Many of them are familiar about my earlier tenure as the Provincial Assembly member of the Bagmati Province. They are not only congratulating and extending good wishes to me for being elected to the House of Representatives, they are also giving lots of advices and expressing their views on various contemporary issues. I have a busy schedule these days meeting different people from my constituency from early morning till the evening. I have been utilizing this opportunity to learn the situation and try to understand their problems. Things will become more clear after I start working in the field once the oath taking ceremony is over.
TNW: As you have already got some experience regarding the provincial assembly, what type of experience are you going through right now?
Biraj: There are many friends who have been elected to the Parliament from different social and professional backgrounds. I have got the privilege of working as Provincial Assembly member in the past as compared to my other party colleagues, who are new to this field. Therefore, I can utilize my past experience and knowledge to the best of my capacity in future performances.
TNW: What do you think is the main factor behind your victory? As there was no candidate from Nepali Congress in your constituency during the election, don’t you think that you have won mainly because of the democrats’ votes?
Biraj: I think, the voters in my constituency this time casted their votes crossing the ideological boundary. As I have been active in social and political field for a long time, people here are very much familiar with me. Since I have been involved in various activates such as reconstruction of Indrachowk, Wanga Dabuli etc. they are familiar with my social and political activities. I always stand with the people of this constituency and they know that I am always available for them whenever needed. That’s why they voted for me this time. People are asking me to move forward saying that they are ready to take any kind of responsibility.
TNW: What inspired you to enter politics?
Biraj: We have been taught since the childhood that politics is a dirty game. But if we leave it as it is, then who will clean the garbage, or who will make correction? During the great earthquake of 2015, when we faced a kind of stateless situation, youths had come forward and carried out relief and rescue works. At that time we had run a network, which was active like a parallel government. After that I realized that if we make efforts, we can make a difference. As an entrepreneur I was active in my field and performed my duty in a well managed style. Moreover, I was greatly inspired by late Ujjwal Thapa, who had served as the activist of Viveksheel campaign. He used to say that when the pond is polluted you need to clean it by going inside. That’s the reason why I joined politics.
TNW: Your opponents are saying that your party doesn’t have clear-cut political ideology and vision. How do you respond to this?
Biraj: The way they talked is devaluing the people’s mandate. They are showing dishonor to the verdict of the people. Where do we stand now? Are we in a better position at this moment? These political parties have ruled the country for 60 or 70 years and where are we heading towards now? Do you think that they have got vision? Youths are going abroad for employment soon after finishing their school education or 10 plus 2. Aren’t the leaders of the old and established political parties responsible for such a situation? Today’s youths are exposed to modern technology, IT and computer equipped with technical knowhow. The younger generation people want to see good governance and end of corruption. If we can achieve just these two things, there will be tremendous change in the society. After that the youths will chalk out their future map, they know where they wanted to go and what kind of country they wanted to build. As we have been brought out in this modern era where revolution is taking place in every field including information technology, it is irrelevant to make allegation that we are visionless. Our vision is to fight with climate change, to control pollution, to provide easy access of health and education to the people.
TNW: What is your opinion regarding the landless squatters problem of Thapathali? What is your suggestion to resolve the issue?
Biraj: The landless squatters’ problem has now become complicated. It has become clear that some older political parties have been deliberately raising the issue for political gain. However, there are some real landless people also, who are in problem. We have always kept a humanitarian angle while dealing in such issues. There is a need to distinguish between the real landless people and those, who have been artificially raising the issue. We must identify those people possessing assets worth crores of rupees, who are gambling for gaining additional property pretending to be landless squatters. The real landless people should get justice and their problems must be addressed properly. We must set aside 17 to 20 metre area in the river bank, while resolving the matter and rule of law must prevail.
TNW: What is your plan for the promotion of tourism in this region?
Biraj: I have been involved in tourism sector around one and a half decade. I have plans to do something concrete and visible in this sector. We need to provide what the tourists actually demand. We should build infrastructures such as toilets at different places. The tourists should not feel that they are being cheated while we charge some fees. They should feel secured and the pedestrian pathways must be safe and clean. We should properly manage garbage and address environmental problems as well. There are micro heritages found within Kathmandu valley, which tourists are not being able to see. It is not enough to manage tangible heritages, intangible heritage like traditional music and art should also be preserved.
TNW: Is there any possibility of your party joining the government at this situation?
Biraj: I think the people have given clear verdict for us to remain in the opposition, to remain vigil against corruption and any kind of disorder. They wanted to see good governance in place. But, we should not make the country face another political crisis because of our stand. Thus, if our support is necessary for ending the political deadlock, we are ready to cooperate and we will not hesitate to join the government in such a case. But, one thing is clear that we are not joining the government unconditionally. The bigger political parties must address our agenda such as good governance, free from corruption, transparency, rule of law and employment for the youths etc. The country should not be made hostage of indecisiveness because of us.
