Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa Pledges to Transform Politics and Development, Focusing on Madhes Region

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has pledged to change the country's political and developmental style. With a resolution to re-establish Madhes as the 'Granary of Grains and School of Knowledge,' Thapa committed that Congress will no longer just print manifestos but will adhere to every word literally.

He described the relationship with Madhes as one of 'son and soil,' rising above political gain-and-loss.

'I Have Come to Be a Son of Madhes'

Thapa raised the issue of Madhesi identity and respect seriously. Saying, 'I have not come here to be a leader of Madhes, but a son,' he added, 'My veins may not carry the blood of a Madhesi mother, but my chest holds the courage of Durgananda Jha and the dreams of Mahendra Narayan Nidhi in my eyes.' He declared that Congress will create an environment where Madhesis will no longer have to hide their traditional attire (dhoti-kurta) when entering Singha Durbar and can proudly say 'Hum Madhesi Chhi' (We are Madhesis).

King Janak's Vow and Congress's New Path

Recalling King Janak's vow for Sita's marriage and Lord Ram's victory after lifting the bow, Thapa stated that Congress's future journey will be based on 'vows' (pratigya).

'This is not just a victory of power, this is a victory of commitment,' Thapa said. 'What I am saying today is a commitment. Whether in government or on the streets, Congress will not step back an inch from its commitment. We have prepared this commitment after studying 27 districts for 7 years.'

Revolution in Education and Health: Resolve to Make Madhes a 'Center of Knowledge' Again

Thapa expressed concern over the declining educational standards in Madhes and put forward a special plan to improve the teaching of mathematics and science. In the health sector, he guaranteed a health insurance system where one 'does not have to pay even one rupee.' His resolution is to end the days when money earned by sweating in Qatar is spent on a mother's treatment.

'At one time, people from the hills used to come to Madhes to learn mathematics; today, the schools here are weak,' he said.

Farmers and Foreign Employment: Value of Sweat and Guarantee of Future

Stating that he has closely observed the problems of sugarcane and potato farmers in Madhes, Thapa declared this decade as the 'Decade of the Farmer.' He outlined a plan for the government to provide special care to youth working abroad through embassies and to create an environment where they become owners of some business upon their return.

'We will make this country self-reliant with our own production, a country that imports agricultural produce worth 400 billion rupees,' he said.

Advocacy for Politics of Inclusion, Not Exclusion

Admitting that Congress alone cannot change the country, Thapa introduced the concept of 'Team Nepal.' According to Thapa, this team will not defeat another party, but rather the misgovernance, poverty, and unemployment of Nepal.

He also instructed 32 candidates to go door-to-door to spread the message of a 'Changed Congress.'