Kathmandu, October 4
Nepali Communist Party coordinator and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has urged Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa and Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane to continue what he described as a “break from the established pattern” in Nepali politics.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention at Khulamanch in Kathmandu on Sunday, Prachanda said Thapa had already taken a step in that direction and encouraged both leaders to continue doing so.
Prachanda recalled his own political career, saying he had repeatedly made such breaks in the past, from moving the country from war to peace, from the peace process to constitution-making and from the Constitution to the establishment of a republic.
“I used to break the pattern before. I would take peace towards war, war towards peace, peace towards the Constitution and the Constitution towards a republic,” he said.
He said it had now become more difficult for him to make such political shifts.
“Perhaps it has become a little difficult for me to break the pattern now. It is Gaganji’s turn. Keep breaking the pattern. Now it is Raviji’s turn as well. You still have some breaking of the pattern left to do. You should do it too, and then Nepal will be built,” Prachanda said.
Prachanda also recalled that both Thapa and Lamichhane had served as ministers in his cabinet.
He praised both leaders for their political awareness and said he continued to hold them in equal regard.
“Whether you are RSP President Raviji or Nepali Congress President Gaganji, or the ministers from my cabinet standing in line here, I have equal affection for everyone,” he said.
Prachanda said he had equal trust and respect for them and expressed hope that all political leaders would contribute to building a prosperous Nepal.
