By Our Reporter
The Mahasamiti meeting of the Nepali Congress is now in progress at the Sunrise International Conference Centre in Godavari, Lalitpur. In the meeting inaugurated by party President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, the Mahasamiti members presented their views on the organisational policy proposal tabled by party general secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, the current political report submitted by another General Secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma, policy proposal by vice president Purna Bahadur Khadka and current economic condition tabled by Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat.
Among the proposals, Thapa’s was key as he presented a policy report including a provision that the Nepali Congress will not forge a pre-election alliance in future and supporters of the party will not be compelled to vote in the election symbol other than a tree.
Although party president Deuba and leaders close to him opposed the proposal in the beginning, they finally agreed to allow Thapa to present the proposal. Although it was NC’s Mahasamiti meeting, Deuba met Maoist Chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal before agreeing to pass the proposal.
Although Deuba agreed with Thapa’s prosal, he may violate it at any time because Deuba can make any agreement to reach power, as evidenced by his past activities.
The meeting, scheduled to run until February 22, marks the first Mahasamiti meeting since the 14th general convention of the party held in December 2021. The meeting should have been called within a year of the general convention.
In his opening address, Deuba paid respect to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for democracy. He expressed deep respect for the leaders who played instrumental roles in shaping the Nepali Congress, including B.P. Koirala, Suvarna Shamsher, Ganeshman Singh, Krishna Prashad Bhattarai, Girija Prashad Koirala and Sushil Koirala.
Deuba also acknowledged the continuous efforts of party members in establishing, restoring, and defending democracy, despite facing hardships such as imprisonment and exile.
He highlighted the historical struggle of the Nepali Congress for democracy, emphasising the party’s commitment to democratic values. He underlined the role of the party in various critical junctures of the nation, including the transformation of a 10-year armed conflict waged by the Maoists into peace and the leadership in writing the current constitution.
The party president expressed pride in the Nepali Congress’s history and emphasised its responsibility in upholding democratic principles.
Speaking about the present political landscape, Deuba highlighted the party’s participation in alliances and coalitions, emphasising that the current coalition was formed not merely for government formation but to protect the constitution.
Similarly, Dhanraj Gurung, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and NC Vice President asserted the need to investigate the assets of ward chairmen and ministers.
Over 2,000 representatives including 1,780 Mahasamiti members elected from 165 Federal Parliament constituencies are participating in the meeting. However, during the opening ceremony, about 4,000 NC leaders and workers were present on Monday.
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