Leaders Advise Rasuwapa to Preserve Public Mandate, Strengthen Democracy

Chitwan. Most leaders who offered good wishes at the first national convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Rasuwapa) have suggested that the party preserve the public mandate it has received, strengthen internal democracy, and effectively advance the campaign for good governance.

Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa said that political parties should respect the public mandate and be free from the intoxication of power and internal arrogance. "In history, the public mandate received by political parties has repeatedly met with disaster due to the arrogance of leaders, mutual conflicts, and the intoxication of power. May Rasuwapa not face both these situations and move forward with the received public support for stability in the right way."

Clarifying the relationship between the Nepali Congress and Rasuwapa, President Thapa stated that his party would play the role of a strong opposition in the parliament. He said, "The Nepali Congress is a competitor of Rasuwapa, not an enemy. We are in the opposition in parliament. Where we need to point a finger, we will point a finger, and where we need to clap, we will clap."

Expressing concern over the growing tendency to completely negate the past in politics recently, he emphasized the need not to forget the historical struggle for democracy. He said, "While the blue flag is flying in Chitwan, do not deny history by saying that nothing has happened in the last 35 years. The ground you are standing on has the blood and sacrifice of martyrs who fought for democracy beneath it. No one can forget that history."

President Thapa identified poverty, ignorance, discrimination, and incompetence as the main enemies of the country, and clarified that there would be cooperation with Rasuwapa against these common challenges and for the protection of the constitution and the system. He praised the public support received by Rasuwapa in a short period since its establishment and wished for the complete success of the convention.

Former Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said that the political success achieved by Rasuwapa in a short time is a link in a new revolution in Nepali history. He clarified that he considers Rasuwapa as the most important achievement of the alternative politics campaign he started 10-11 years ago. Presenting himself as a constant rebel who has always stood for change and justice, he mentioned that he has dedicated his entire life to this.

Refuting the 'conspiracy theory' propagated by old political parties that foreign powers are behind the rise of Rasuwapa, he said, "Friends of my generation have a big misconception. They are busy weaving stories about this being caused by the South, the North, the West. But my clear view is that youth who set out to change society must always stand for truth and justice, and you are standing for it." He stated that Rasuwapa achieved this historic success not only through movements and struggles but also by winning the hearts of the people using modern science and technology.

Responding to his critics, Dr. Bhattarai said, "Some people ask me if I went to Rasuwapa's convention at this age for a lollipop. I am a person who is ready to die my whole life, what lollipop do I need? I am a person who has become the Prime Minister of the country with your goodwill, I don't need any lollipop, I just want to see the Nepali people and the youth generation get good governance and prosperity in the country."

Interpreting the political revolution as a 'relay race', former Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai said that the revolution started by the first generation like Tank Prasad Acharya and Pushpalal was taken to the republic and constituent assembly by his generation, and now the responsibility of taking the country to the peak of good governance and prosperity has fallen on the shoulders of the new generation of Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah. He emphasized that the new leadership of Rasuwapa should firmly complete the next full five-year term.

CPN (UML) leader Pradip Gyawali said that a historic responsibility to strengthen the country and democracy has fallen on the shoulders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Rasuwapa). He emphasized that this convention should not only elect a new leadership but also determine the party's clear political policy, principles, and roadmap.

"More important than where Rasuwapa stands in national politics is how it advances constitutionalism, the rule of law, fundamental rights, social justice, and the concept of a responsible state," he said.

Connecting the public mandate received by Rasuwapa in a short time with various contexts in world history, leader Gyawali said that just as important as receiving a mandate is its proper utilization. Mentioning that there are different examples of the proper and improper utilization of public mandate in history, he suggested that Rasuwapa should learn from the wrong lessons of history and move forward in a way that brings light to the faces of the people.

Discussing the significant role of 'checks and balances' in democracy, he expressed the view that key state institutions like the judiciary, presidency, and parliament should always be strong and that critical voices of the people should be respected. He wished for the complete success of the convention, hoping that Rasuwapa would maintain the necessary restraint and legal balance along with the strong drive to work.

Central Secretariat member of the Nepal Communist Party, Barsaman Pun, said that any step taken to establish order should be legal and within the framework of the constitution. He mentioned that his party and Rasuwapa have been cooperating in the campaign for good governance and control of corruption.

Pun said, "We were, are, and will remain together on the agenda of ending corruption and irregularities and ensuring good governance. In this regard, there is a suggestion and request: sufficient attention will be paid to ensure that the steps taken to establish order are legal and do not go beyond the constitution." He claimed that despite having different backgrounds and working styles, both forces are close on the issues of revolution, change, and social transformation.

"Both forces have charted their political paths by breaking continuity," he said, "Perhaps no other two forces have collaborated as closely as the Nepal Communist Party and Rasuwapa on the agenda of good governance."

Recalling that the Federal Inclusive Democratic Republic was established on the foundation of various historical movements and the sacrifices of martyrs, he expressed the expectation of an even higher level of commitment from Rasuwapa towards the current political system.

Leader Pun also expressed confidence that this convention, as Rasuwapa is about to go nationwide in its full organizational form for the first time, will dispel various questions, accusations, and suspicions about the party and provide ideological and organizational clarity.

Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Rajendra Lingden, claimed that the problems existing in the country are not only with the leaders but also with the current constitution and constitutional system. Addressing the ceremony, Chairman Lingden pointed out that a modification in the political system itself is necessary to provide the country with a proper way out.

He said, "History has given you such a unique opportunity that does not come repeatedly in the life of any party or individual. If this opportunity is missed, it will be a great betrayal not only to your party but to the entire country."

Chairman of the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), Upendra Yadav, said that political parties must rise above narrow confines for the prosperity and transformation of the country. He mentioned that conventions are not just platforms for electing new leadership but also links that guide national politics and public expectations.

"Institutionalizing the federal democratic republic and moving towards economic revolution and social transformation is the main need of today," said Chairman Yadav. He emphasized the need for cooperation on common issues among political parties to work according to public expectations and expressed confidence that the Rasuwapa convention will formulate concrete policies and strategies to address the contemporary challenges of the country.

Chairman of the Janamat Party, Dr. CK Raut, said that the first historic convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Rasuwapa) is not just a political gathering but a 'festival of revolution'. He mentioned that thousands of youths descending on Bharatpur from all 77 districts of the country, enduring various hardships, debts, and hunger, are doing so not for position or prestige, but because of a shared passion to change the country and a desire for economic prosperity.

Expressing gratitude for being remembered at this historic ceremony despite having retired from parliamentary politics, he said, "Because I have the same desire as the dream you have seen, I am present here not as a competitor, but to offer good wishes as your fellow traveler and supporter."

Asian major political parties have expressed solidarity on the occasion of the first historic national convention of Rasuwapa. At the convention, Shishir Khanal, head of Rasuwapa's International Relations Department, read out goodwill messages received from the international community.

Khanal stated that goodwill messages were received from the Organization of Asian Political Parties, India's Bharatiya Janata Party, the Chinese Communist Party, and ruling and major political parties from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

During the program, the Dample dance of the Tharu community from Bharatpur-27 was performed, and the Central Cultural Department welcomed the guests with welcome songs and dances. The closed session of the convention will be held at the Exhibition Center of the Industrial Association Chitwan. The party has stated that more than four thousand representatives will participate in the closed session.