Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa Relinquishes Kathmandu Seat for Madhesh Candidacy to 'Unite the Nation'

Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has announced that he will contest the upcoming election from Sarlahi Constituency No. 4, leaving his former constituency in Kathmandu-4, with the resolve to connect the nation. Before heading to Sarlahi for the election scheduled for the upcoming Falgun 21, Thapa released a video message on Monday stating that he changed his constituency to take the narratives of Kathmandu to the Madhesh region and bring the grievances of Madhesh to Kathmandu.

In the video message, Thapa stated that he does not believe in politics of provocation, but unity is also not possible in a state of disempowerment. As a member of a family that migrated from the hills to Kathmandu, he understands life in the hills and the city, but he is moving to Madhesh so that the relationship with the region is not limited to mere formality.

He mentioned that by representing Madhesh, understanding its issues closely, and taking initiatives for their resolution, he can solve the problems of the entire Nepal and concluded that it is necessary to strive in the soil of Madhesh to lead the country, hence taking this decision.

Recalling the early days of his political journey, Thapa reminisced about his two-decade-long relationship with the voters of Kathmandu Constituency No. 4. He interpreted the continuous victories he secured in the First Constituent Assembly (as a proportional candidate) and the direct elections of 2070, 2074, and 2079 as immense affection from the voters. 

He expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the voters during difficult times such as the blockade, the earthquake, and the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he worked alongside the community, and for his roles as a parliamentarian and minister. He clarified that although many advised him against leaving a safe constituency after becoming party president, he chose Sarlahi in a calculated manner, taking a risk to unite the country.

He committed to keeping Kathmandu-4 in his heart and mind, remaining connected to its festivals, cultural events, and development works, even after moving to Sarlahi. He informed that Sachin Timalsina, a young leader, has been nominated by the party for Kathmandu Constituency No. 4 and stated that the area's development would benefit from combining his experience with Timalsina's new energy. 

Stating that he will forever remain indebted to the voters of Kathmandu, Thapa urged them to understand the compulsion and necessity for him to visit the Madhesh region once to become a leader for the entire nation.

Here is the full transcript of Thapa's statement:

I am going to Madhesh because I want to unite the nation.

I want to take the stories of Kathmandu to Madhesh and also bring the stories, the pain, and the hardships of Madhesh to Kathmandu after understanding them. I believe that the respect of Nepalis exists only when the respect of everyone is maintained. I do not believe in politics of provocation. However, I also do not believe that unity among everyone can be achieved without rights.

Namaste!

Heartfelt greetings to all the mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters of Kathmandu Constituency No. 4! Jai Nepal!

Today, in the context of the election on Falgun 21, I am going to my new constituency in Sarlahi Constituency No. 4 as a candidate. Before leaving, I wished to share a few things with you all, so I am sharing some thoughts through this video.

During the time of the First Constituent Assembly election, I was a candidate on the proportional list of the Nepali Congress party. I had brought the respected Didi Suprabha as the candidate for Constituency No. 4. I still remember the days when we campaigned with the candidate in our villages like Chapali, Chunikhel, Mahankal, Kapan, and within Kathmandu Metropolitan City Wards No. 7, 1, 30, Ward No. 8—in all these places, lanes, courtyards, houses, and squares.

And at that time, you all showed immense affection. That affection pulled me back as a candidate for Constituency No. 4 in 2070 BS. You made me win in a spectacular manner. In between, we faced the blockade and we faced the earthquake. We worked together with the community. I tried to honestly fulfill the role expected of me as a legislator. There might have been some mistakes and shortcomings, which you pointed out. You questioned me in many places. But you always showed affection. I also got the opportunity to work briefly as a minister, which you also appreciated.

The 2074 BS election was not easy. Even when the Nepali Congress candidates were elected in very few places across the country, you elected me again. And at that time, I still remember—we were hit by a major outbreak (pandemic) of COVID. Once again, we worked together with the community. During this period, we conducted many, many campaigns; youth-targeted campaigns, women-targeted campaigns, employment-focused campaigns, especially education and health campaigns. The regular infrastructure work was there, of course. The issues I had to raise in the parliament as a lawmaker were also there. But beyond that, you continuously gave me the opportunity to work together with the community.

In the 2079 BS election, I stood as a candidate after becoming the General Secretary of the party. This time, you elected me with an even larger margin of votes. During my political life, I have reached this stage—from a member of the party, Central Committee member, to General Secretary—while being among you all. Simultaneously, I was directly elected from this constituency as a Member of Parliament three times consecutively.

I always received the affection of a family in this constituency. You all invited me to all the local festivals, celebrations, small functions, pujas, and fairs. I mingled everywhere and spent the most important phases of my life here. I have grown up alongside my party friends, feeling like we are all a family.

I have just recently become the party president through a special General Convention (Note: The speaker may have mentioned the designation according to context). This time, party members told me, 'Under no circumstances should you leave your constituency.' Voices representing the voters here, who have continuously elected me irrespective of 'this party or that party,' also came saying, 'This time it is even easier, your own constituency...' They kept saying the same thing. I am extremely grateful to all of you; I bow down to you all countless times.

My parents migrated to Kathmandu from the hills. Therefore, I had the opportunity to understand the lifestyle and life of the hills closely. I was born and raised in Kathmandu; I had the opportunity to understand city life and all its intricacies. But while fulfilling my responsibility as a leader of the Nepali Congress—a national party of Nepal—I had a strong desire to deepen my relationship with Madhesh. It was also necessary to do so.

Because my connection with Madhesh cannot remain just a formality. Friends from Sarlahi Constituency No. 4 invited me with affection, and I am going there. Therefore, by representing Madhesh, by understanding its issues, and by taking initiatives for their resolution—I believe that, in various ways, I can play a significant role in resolving the issues of the entire Nepal.

Therefore, I made this decision after careful thought and consideration—my family descended from the hills, I grew up in Kathmandu, but to become a leader for the entire nation, I felt I must properly step on the soil of Madhesh, bow down to it, seek its blessings, connect with it, and strive within it. I trust that you will maintain the same affection and belief in this decision.

We have presented a young leader, Sachin Timalsina, as the candidate for Kathmandu from the Nepali Congress party. You will learn more about Sachin Timalsina through other mediums. I will also come and share my thoughts among you. But for now, I will just say this—I will always remember the affection, good wishes, and blessings you gave me; I will remain indebted for my entire life. I am confident that I will become a leader for the entire nation, and as I receive the opportunity to represent Sarlahi Constituency No. 4, I believe I can carry Kathmandu Constituency No. 4 along with me in my heart and mind.

Because I am connected to the festivals here, the celebrations here, and the fairs here. We all together started the Chhath festival at Kamalpokhari for the first time. We have many such 'first-time' experiences. I will cherish those experiences. I trust that I will bring those new experiences to Sarlahi as well, and by mixing the experiences of both, I will become even more refined.

You will always remain in my heart and mind. I am among you, and I will remain among you. Hoping to continue receiving your good wishes, blessings, affection, love, support, and trust as consistently as I have received them, I will be in Sarlahi Constituency No. 4 starting today. I will come again at some other time to share my views among you all.

Thank you! Namaste! Jai Nepal!