Oli Says Squatters in Jhapa Are Living in Fear, Warns Against Voting for New Faces

Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) KP Sharma Oli said on Wednesday that squatters in Jhapa have begun living in fear, cautioning voters against supporting political newcomers without proper evaluation.

Speaking at the second full meeting of the Regional Coordination Committee of the National Youth Association in Jhapa Constituency No. 5, Oli said that some local residents, including squatters, are worried about the possibility of demolitions.

“Squatter friends told me there is talk of demolishing settlements and bringing in bulldozers. They said they feel afraid, wondering who these people are who have arrived,” Oli said.

Warning Against Voting for ‘New’ Political Forces

Oli also stated that the idea that votes for new political forces go to waste was proven during the 2008 Constituent Assembly election. “Since 2008, not even a single step of development has moved forward. There is no connection with the people, and no work gets done,” he said. “The taste of the ‘new’ has been so bitter and sour that it does not fade away, no matter what.”

Based on that experience, Oli said voters should not cast ballots simply because a candidate is described as “new.” “Even banks do not print currency notes without collateral. But when it comes to voting for a person, do people examine them?” he said. “Do they look at who the person is or what they have done?”

Criticism of Balen Shah’s Role in Jhapa

Oli also said that Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has no meaningful work to do in Jhapa.

“He does not have a national vision. What will he do here?” Oli said. “I paved the road in front of his house. I built a bridge on the road from Matihani in Mahottari Constituency No. 3 to Janakpur. That is what we do. He has not done any work or shown any achievements.”

Oli said leadership should be judged by visible work rather than speeches, emphasizing that development must be demonstrated through action.