Gagan Thapa Criticizes Parliament Without Opposition

Lalitpur. Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has said that the practice of creating a parliament without opposition is not in line with democratic values. Speaking at a program titled 'Nepali Congress President with the New Generation' in Lalitpur on Sunday morning, President Thapa said that the ultimate goal for political parties should not be just acquiring power. He said that political parties should be guided by ideas, policies, and principles rather than power.

Thapa commented that Nepali politics in the last decade has been too power-centric. 'We must move away from the mindset that power and might are everything,' he said, 'The party should never compromise on its established values, norms, and principles.' He said that the practice of all major parties forming the government and creating a parliament without opposition in the context of forming provincial governments is not in line with democratic values.

Thapa said that it is necessary to increase the participation and representation of the new generation within Congress. Discussing the steps taken to secure the place of youth in the party's statutory structure, he said, 'Congress can be further strengthened only by adjusting the energy of the new generation and the experience of the old generation.' He said that the party should embrace the new thinking and perspective of the new generation, not just as voters or technical workers.

Recalling the early days of his political journey, Thapa mentioned the context of the 2051 mid-term elections. He shared his experience of organizing a program that brought together former Prime Ministers Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Girija Prasad Koirala on the same stage, despite internal differences within the party at that time. During that time, he said that he learned an important lesson from Krishnajee that political positions are temporary, but social capital and integrity are permanent.

Thapa pointed out the need for leaders and cadres at all levels to bring about timely changes in their thinking and working style for the strengthening of the party's organization.