Kathmandu, Oct 4: Political leaders attending the 15th national general convention of the Nepali Congress (NC) have called for new leadership, political unity and reforms to address the growing challenges facing the country.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the convention here on Sunday, Nepali Communist Party Coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ urged the NC to break with the pattern of political continuity and take the lead in the country.
Congratulating NC President Gagan Kumar Thapa, Dahal articulated that Thapa had demonstrated the capacity to lead the party and thus could eventually lead the country.
Recalling that Thapa had served as the Health Minister during his tenure as Prime Minister, Dahal admitted that he was pleased to witness leader Thapa’s progress in his political journey.
During his address, Dahal also urged Thapa to bring on board the leaders and groups that remain outside the party in the mainstream and usher the party ahead by further unifying it.
Stating that Thapa should not limit himself in the leadership role of the NC, he viewed that Thapa should move beyond leading the party and take on a broader national leadership for which he pledged his support.
The former Prime Minister underscored the need for the major political forces to work in unison to safeguard and institutionalize the country’s democratic republic.
He also called on Thapa to complete the remaining tasks of the Comprehensive Peace Accord inked between himself and then NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, warning that unresolved issues could create the risk of renewed conflict.
Meanwhile, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairperson Rajendra Lingden lamented that public dissatisfaction with political leaders and politics remained as it is.
Also addressing the same event, Lingden recalled his remarks at the NC’s previous national general convention and dismayed that there had been little improvement in public frustration and distrust toward political leaders.
He ranted that although people had changed, the country’s situation remained largely the same.
In this light, he pointed out the need that even the constitution should be amended in the interest of the country and its people.
Similarly, Janata Samajbadi Party leader Sharat Singh Bhandari pressed for unity, dialogue, cooperation and collaboration among all responsible political parties at a time when natural disasters have disrupted daily life and affected the national economy.
Highlighting the NC’s historic role in Nepal’s democratic movements, political transformations, the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, and institutionalizing the federal democratic republican system, he viewed that we all should acknowledge it.
Stating that country continued to face serious challenges, including economic difficulties, rising unemployment, increasing migration of young people abroad, declining production, social inequality and growing public frustration, he suggested that all political parties should join forces to address these problems.
It may be noted that the oldest democratic party in the country and the major opposition party -NC- is holding its 15th national convention in Kathmandu from today.
The inaugural session of the national general convention kicked off at the local Khulamanch (open theatre) in Tundikhel today noon where leaders from various political parties were invited.
