KATHMANDU, Oct 4: Nepali Congress president Gagan Thapa on Sunday called for collective political efforts to drive Nepal’s socio economic transformation while strengthening the country’s democratic system, stressing that political change must translate into visible improvements in people’s lives.
Speaking at the main opposition party’s 15th general convention at Tundikhel Open Ground in Kathmandu, Thapa said the Nepali Congress needed to move beyond discussions on democracy and develop into a political organisation capable of delivering concrete outcomes.
Thapa said the party should become a “bridge between democracy and delivery” while also helping narrow the divide between younger and older generations. He emphasised that the convention should not be viewed simply as an exercise to elect new leadership, but as an opportunity to establish the party’s future political direction, policies and strategy.
According to Thapa, the Nepali Congress must adopt a result-oriented approach and focus its political efforts on addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges. He urged political parties to work collectively to ensure that democratic progress is accompanied by development and effective governance.
More than 7,000 representatives from different parts of Nepal are taking part in the convention, which is being held under the slogan “New Congress, New Resolve”.
Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma described the gathering as the start of a “new journey” for the party. He said increased participation by younger members had brought renewed energy to the organisation.
Former prime ministers Pushpakamal Dahal “Prachanda” and Baburam Bhattarai, who now serves as coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party, also addressed the convention. Both leaders conveyed their best wishes to the Nepali Congress during the gathering.
Former prime minister and former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with several senior leaders associated with him, were absent from the event.
The convention’s closed door discussions are scheduled to begin on Monday. Elections for the party’s new working committee will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, with the leadership contest expected to shape the organisation’s political course in the coming period.