Parties’ lofty pledges on economy collide with hard realities

Experts dismiss manifestos as unrealistic, lacking research and data, and warn delivery is doubtful.

In the far-flung village of Khijiphalate in Okhaldhunga district of Nepal’s eastern hills, Dendi Sherpa is simply happy to see a political campaign unfolding in his locality. For him, it at least means some spending and a temporary revival of business after a prolonged dry spell.