Aldershot and Farnborough are two cities under the Rushmoor Borough Council in the United Kingdom. Among them, an influential Nepali man has given his candidature in Farnborough Cherrywood ward in the election of local Councillor. He is Mr Nem Thapa Magar, a social worker and the past president of Magar Association UK. Magar has received a ticket from the Conservative Party for the upcoming Councillor post in May. Thapa Magar, who is familiar with the Nepali community in the UK, is also the Vice President of Greater Rashmoor Nepali Community. A brief conversation with Nem Thapa Magar, who has been supporting the rights and grievances of Nepali people in Nepal and the United Kingdom, for the Everest Times with Milan Tamu.
1. Which ward are you running for?
I am nominated from Cherrywood Ward in Farnborough.
2. Which party are you nominated from?
I am from the Conservative Party.
3. What is your candidacy for?
Well, Rushmoor Borough Council has the highest Nepali community residence in the United Kingdom. we represent nearly 20 per cent of the whole population in the Borough & yet Nepali Councillors are underrepresented especially in Farnborough there isn’t one yet therefore I have decided to take this challenge up.
4. How likely are you to win?
There is a challenge. Rushmoor Borouch Council has 13 wards with 3 Councillors in each wards totally 39 Councillors. Conservative Party has 26 Councillors in the Borough but Cherrywood Ward has all 3 Labour Councillors and I’m standing against one of them so this is a challenge for me. However, Cherrywood ward has the largest Nepali residents in the Borough & I’m standing for them so irrespective of who they voted in the past I’m doing my best that I can represent not just for Nepali and minority ethnics but also for all the community in the ward therefore I’m confident I will be successful.
5. How many Candidates are there?
Not known yet but at least two, one me from Conservative and the one from Labour but there may be more candidates that has yet to be announced.
6. What do you want to say in the end?
There are a lot essential things to do especially in the Nepali community, journalists have a big role to play in our progress in conveying the message to all. Especially through Gurkha media viewers, readers & well-wishers. I would like to ask them to support this campaign by sharing it on social media in order to reach out to focused residence. We have to work together for a better today and a beautiful tomorrow.
