Nepali Congress Launches 'Team Nepal' Concept in Madhesh, Pledges Strict Adherence to Commitments

Kathmandu. The Nepali Congress has introduced the concept of 'Team Nepal' from the Madhesh Province. While unveiling its manifesto on Wednesday, the Congress made a 'pledge' to change the country's political and developmental style.

Party President Gagan Thapa admitted that the Congress alone cannot change the country and introduced the 'Team Nepal' concept. According to Thapa, this team will not defeat another party, but rather defeat bad governance, poverty, and unemployment in Nepal.

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

With a resolution to re-establish Madhesh as the 'Granary of Food and School of Knowledge', Thapa committed that the Congress will no longer just print manifestos but will adhere to every word literally.

He described the relationship with Madhesh as one of 'son and soil' rising above political gain or loss.

Thapa seriously raised the issue of Madhesi identity and respect. Saying, 'I am not here to be a leader of Madhesh, but to be 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 my eyes hold the dream of Mahendra Narayan Nidhi.' He declared that the Congress will create an environment where Madhesis will not have to hide their dhoti-kurta when entering Singha Durbar and can proudly say 'Hum Madhesi Chhi' (We are Madhesis).

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

'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, the Congress will not step back an inch from its pledge. We have prepared this pledge after studying 27 sectors for 7 years.'

Thapa expressed concern over the declining educational standards in Madhesh 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 came to Madhesh to learn mathematics; today, the schools here are weak,' he said.

Stating that he has closely observed the problems of sugarcane and potato farmers in Madhesh, Thapa announced that this decade will be made the 'Decade of the Farmer'. He outlined a plan for the government to provide special care to youth in foreign employment through embassies and to create an environment where they become owners of some business upon their return.

'We will make the country self-reliant with our own production, a country that imports agricultural produce worth 4 Kharba,' he said.

Similarly, Nepali Congress Vice-President Bishwa Prakash Sharma declared that the Nepali Congress has come to Madhesh in a 'new avatar' to address the country's current political and social situation.

Addressing the nation from the historic and fertile land of Madhesh, Sharma stated that the upcoming election is not just a means to gain power but a great ritual to manage a country in crisis and to heal the wounds of the citizens.

Addressing in the Madhesi language as well, Sharma emphasized that the beginning of transformation must come from within. Saying, 'Yadi aaphai sansar badal chahai chhi, desh badal chahai chhi ta sabse pahile aaphai badalu' (If you want to change the world and the country, first change yourself), he instructed Congress workers to go among the public with a new mindset.

He claimed that by the upcoming Falgun 21, the entire country will be mobilized under the psychology of 'Rukh' (Tree) and 'Gaachhi' (Madhesi word for tree).