Kulman Ghising, who recently announced the formation of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, has stepped up his political engagements with a two-day visit to eastern Nepal. Although visiting the region in his capacity as Minister for Energy and Physical Infrastructure Development, Ghising also held interactions with supporters at two separate locations.
He arrived on Sunday to inspect government structures and ongoing development projects. After reviewing construction progress, he held interaction programs in Dharan on Sunday and Belbari in Morang on Monday, where local residents welcomed him. The event banners featured his photo but did not mention the party name.
During these gatherings, Ghising urged that new alternative political forces must unite. He appealed to supporters to join hands in building a brighter Nepal.
On Sunday, his visit began with an inspection of the under-construction building at Koshi Hospital in Biratnagar, where he instructed contractors to increase manpower and speed up work. He then traveled to Chatara in Sunsari before attending a delayed interaction program in Dharan.
On Monday morning, he addressed supporters for about 12 minutes at a program held at the Indigenous Nationalities Federation building in Belbari. Many attendees were also supporters of Harka Sampang and had gathered at the initiative of Ujyalo Nepal Party leader Dakendra Singh Thegim. However, Ghising’s wish to meet Sampang remained unfulfilled.
At the end of the Belbari event, local journalists asked him four questions. He responded to three—
• He said there is no shortage of budget for the March 4 (Falgun 21) elections.
• On possible unity with Rabi Lamichhane and Balen Shah, he stressed the need for all alternative forces to move together.
• Regarding whether he would resign as minister before contesting elections, he said political leaders who engage in politics must contest elections, hinting he may resign before filing nominations.
But he did not answer the final question: Who will be prime minister after the election—you or Rabi Lamichhane? He simply smiled and walked away.
Calls for Unity Among Alternative Forces
Ghising emphasized that unifying alternative political forces is the only way forward. He said Nepal’s prosperity requires progress in all sectors, not just energy.
“Ujyalo Nepal is not only about electricity. It means governance, social justice, poverty reduction, employment creation, and making the country prosperous,” he said. He stressed that capable and trusted individuals must lead, and urged youths to come forward to guide the nation.
He called on the public to use the upcoming opportunity to bring lasting change to the country through the right leadership.
Failed Meeting With Harka Sampang
Ghising tried to meet Dharan Mayor and Labor Culture Party President Harka Sampang during his visit, but Sampang declined, citing a busy schedule. According to Thegim, the meeting could not happen due to the mayor’s commitments. Labor Culture Party General Secretary Aren Rai said he was unaware of meeting efforts but agreed that uniting alternative forces is important.
Infrastructure Inspections
After meeting supporters in Dharan and Belbari, Ghising inspected sections of the expanding East–West Highway. Contractors complained that construction was delayed due to a shortage of soil, gravel, and sand. Ghising expressed surprise and assured them he would coordinate with the Ministry of Forests to ease the supply of materials.
After further inspections in Damak and Jhiljhile, Ghising departed for Kathmandu on Monday afternoon from Bhadrapur Airport, according to leader Thegim.
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