Kathmandu, October 5
Businessman Saugat Thapa has announced his candidacy for a central committee member of the Nepali Congress.
Thapa has filed his candidacy in the under-35 category at the party’s 15th General Convention, which is currently underway at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. He is a general convention representative from Kaski-2.
Thapa said greater participation of young people in the party’s leadership would help transform the Nepali Congress into a more modern and dynamic political organisation.
“This time, young people are entering the central leadership, and that is a matter of happiness for us,” Thapa said. “The general convention should understand the aspirations and concerns of young people and formulate clear policies on ideology, organisation and programmes. There should also be provisions for an exit alongside entry. This will make the party more dynamic.”
He said the party’s policy of creating greater space for young people following the Gen Z movement was beginning to be reflected in party conventions.
“The general convention should bring programmes and plans that allow the younger generation and the generation that has carried the legacy of long political movements to move forward together,” he said. “The Gen Z movement has increased young people’s direct interest in politics. The party should therefore connect this development with its ideological framework.”
Thapa also said the party leadership should make efforts to bring people with expertise in various professions and businesses, who have not previously been involved in politics, into the political mainstream.
He said the provision ensuring representation from different groups from the ward level to the central level had sent a positive message. He argued that a similar approach should also be adopted when selecting candidates for local and provincial elections.
Thapa holds a Master of Business Studies degree from Infomax College. He was recently elected vice-president for industry at the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also involved in the tourism business and serves as a director of Anshubhara Group.
He has previously served as president of the Nepal Students’ Union in Pokhara Metropolitan City and has been a regional representative twice. He was also elected as a representative at the Nepali Congress’s 14th General Convention.
Thapa has served as a member of the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry twice. He was elected as a general convention representative from the under-35 youth category from Kaski-2 for the 15th General Convention.
