Dr. Nicholas Bhusal, an independent candidate running for the House of Representatives from Rupandehi-2, has sharply criticized veteran political leaders, accusing them of economically ruining Nepal. Contesting the upcoming election with the "Gen-Z shoe" symbol, the medical professional outlined an ambitious manifesto focused on creating millions of jobs, ensuring free healthcare, and legalizing cryptocurrency. According to Dr. Bhusal, his political entry is driven by a necessity to save the country, its people, and its religion from decades of systemic mismanagement.
In a recent interview, Dr. Bhusal targeted established figures, specifically naming former Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, K.P. Sharma Oli, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He alleged that their continued tenure has reduced the country to a site for failed social experiments, pushing Nepal toward an economic grey list and forcing a massive youth exodus. According to the candidate, despite winning multiple terms, these leaders have failed to resolve basic issues, such as a two-decade delay in providing land deeds to squatters and the abandonment of local infrastructure like Butwal's thread factory and sports stadiums.
Campaigning on a platform to overhaul the system, Dr. Bhusal proposed sweeping economic reforms. He pledged to generate 300 jobs in every local administrative unit within one year, claiming this initiative could eventually employ over two million citizens nationwide. To fund free healthcare in both public and private hospitals, he proposed implementing mandatory national health insurance and utilizing revenue generated from the legalization of domestic herbs and natural resources like red sandalwood. Furthermore, he promised to legalize blockchain and cryptocurrency to boost the digital economy.
The independent hopeful strongly opposed the centralization of the national budget by a handful of leaders, advocating instead for equitable development spanning from Butwal to remote regions like Humla and Jumla. Expressing absolute confidence in his vision, Dr. Bhusal claimed to have a proven track record of contributing to national milestones, such as massive tree-planting drives, free treatment campaigns for millions, and domestic fertilizer production. He asserted that the nation has enough untapped natural wealth to become fully self-reliant without relying on foreign interference or engaging in government corruption.
As the election nears, voters in Rupandehi-2 face a stark choice between the long-standing political establishment and the radical economic restructuring proposed by this independent challenger.