Bimalendra Nidhi Warns Nepali Congress of New Path Amidst Internal Dispute

Kathmandu. Former Vice-President of Nepali Congress, Bimalendra Nidhi, has warned that if concrete efforts are not made to resolve the internal dispute within the party and for unity, they will be forced to chart a new course. Speaking at a program organized at Pragya Pratishthan on the occasion of BP's 44th memorial day, leader Nidhi reiterated his stance that the demands and agendas put forth by them should be the main basis for unity to keep the party united.

Leader Nidhi informed that a national gathering is scheduled to be announced today, and if the leadership does not reach an agreement by the time of that gathering, he will choose a new political path. 'We have been trying for unity time and again and have put forward very simple demands,' Nidhi said, 'If our demands and basis for agreement are not accepted, it will be our compulsion to chart a new course. Not accepting these bases shows that the leadership does not want to keep the party united.'

Commenting on the working style of party president Gagan Thapa, who came to leadership through a special general convention, Nidhi accused him of lacking the necessary foresight expected of a leader and exhibiting immaturity.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of any indication of agreement so far, he also expressed dissatisfaction with the Election Commission's decision to recognize only the then general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma as responsible office bearers. 'Were they the only responsible ones and all other office bearers irresponsible?' was Nidhi's question.

Speaking on ideological matters, Nidhi discussed the contribution of Prithvi Narayan Shah in the geographical unification of Nepal and that of Jananayak BP Koirala in building a modern and democratic state.

He commented that forgetting the agenda of 'Democratic Socialism' propounded by BP and advocating for 'Social Democracy' is regressive. He stated that it is not appropriate for some Congress members to talk about social democracy by imitating Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Accusing the current government led by senior Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Balendra Shah of not being in favor of federalism, republic, and democracy, Nidhi said that the government appears indifferent to amending the constitution in line with the spirit of a federal democratic republic.

Highlighting the need for the Congress to unite to protect and strengthen democracy in Nepal, Nidhi stated that the agendas of agreement put forth by them are the main basis for unity and that there can be no compromise on this.