Kathmandu, October 4
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has proposed a broad overhaul of the party’s political culture, ideology, organisation and economic policies in the political report prepared for the party’s 15th General Convention.
The report reviews the Nepali Congress’s past performance and acknowledges that the party has grown increasingly distant from the public because of a political culture centred on power, positions, factions and access.
Thapa has proposed a new political culture and working style aimed at rebuilding the party’s relationship with citizens.
The report also calls for the political developments following the protests of Bhadau 23 and 24 to be understood beyond the framework of conspiracy theories. It says the demands raised during the movement — including good governance, opportunity, justice and equality — must be addressed.
It proposes an impartial investigation into the use of force, violence and damage caused during the protests, followed by legal action against those responsible and justice and compensation for victims.
The report also calls on the Congress to undertake a self-assessment of the results of the Falgun 21 elections, describing them as a reflection of the party’s two-decade-long growing distance from citizens.
Nepali Congress to play stronger opposition role
Thapa has proposed establishing the Nepali Congress as an effective principal opposition party following the election.
The report calls for fact-based monitoring of government activities, scrutiny of corruption and violations of rights, and the presentation of alternative policies.
It proposes establishing a “shadow government” at both the federal and provincial levels to monitor governments and develop alternative policy options.
For future elections, the report proposes that the Congress should not enter into pre-election alliances.
Instead, it should contest elections under its own election symbol, with its own candidates and agenda.
Thapa has also proposed changing the way candidates are selected. Rather than giving priority to factional affiliation, access or financial influence, the party should select candidates based on qualifications, contribution and performance.
The report proposes mechanisms such as primary elections, referendums or direct voting by party members for candidate selection.
Rethinking Nepali Congress’s ideology
The report proposes a 21st-century reinterpretation of nationalism, democracy and democratic socialism.
It links nationalism not only to political sovereignty but also to the country’s capacity in areas such as energy, food, technology, finance and knowledge.
Similarly, it argues that democracy should extend beyond voting in elections to include continuous citizen participation and involvement in decision-making.
The report proposes a development model based on the idea of “Prosperous Nepal, Respected Nepali”, arguing that economic growth alone is not enough.
It calls for equal access to education, healthcare, nutrition, skills, capabilities and opportunities.
Thapa has also proposed the concept of “pre-distributive justice”, which focuses on creating equal opportunities from the beginning through access to education, healthcare, skills, finance and employment.
Private sector and remittances
The report proposes establishing the private sector as a key partner in employment generation, production, investment and innovation.
It calls for stronger investment protection, policy stability and a better business environment.
The report also proposes creating conditions for remittances to be invested in agriculture, industry, tourism and technology.
Hydropower and clean energy are to be linked with industrialisation and green exports as part of a broader strategy to build a production-oriented economy.
Agriculture, energy, water, tourism, industry and digital technology have been identified as key foundations of that economy.
Focus on youth and migration
The report places particular emphasis on creating dignified employment opportunities for young people within Nepal.
It also proposes making foreign employment safer and more rights-based, while strengthening social security for Nepalis working abroad and directing remittances towards productive sectors.
Thapa has argued that development planning should respond to changing patterns of population and migration.
Rather than relying solely on administrative boundaries, planning should take into account where people actually live and where they need public services.
The report also proposes forming an independent panel of young experts to study youth dissatisfaction and the demands raised by Generation Z.
Its recommendations would be required to be incorporated into policymaking, according to the proposal.
Climate change, technology and social protection
The report treats climate change as both an economic and national security issue.
It proposes making disaster risk assessment mandatory in infrastructure, settlement and development planning.
Thapa has also called for restructuring Nepal’s education and skills systems in response to changes brought about by technology and artificial intelligence, particularly in employment, education and knowledge.
On the social front, the report prioritises issues including caste discrimination, child marriage, gender-based violence, malnutrition and access to education and healthcare.
It also calls for stronger social protection for senior citizens, children, women and other vulnerable groups.
Stronger federalism and institutional independence
The report proposes stronger coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments and calls for administrative and fiscal federalism to be strengthened.
It says constitutional amendments, if necessary, should be pursued on the basis of national consensus.
The report also calls for transitional justice to be concluded through truth, justice and reparation rather than being used as a subject of political bargaining.
Thapa has proposed ending political appointments and factional sharing in institutions including the judiciary, constitutional bodies, universities and the civil administration.
The report also commits the Congress to not protecting its own leaders or cadres accused of corruption.
Changes to elections and party governance
Among the proposals are a constitutional provision limiting a prime minister to two terms and the introduction of a “none of the above” option in elections.
It also proposes voting rights for Nepalis living abroad and reforms aimed at making the electoral system more participatory and transparent.
Within the party, Thapa has proposed greater financial transparency, regular audits and a code of conduct, along with mechanisms to investigate leaders facing corruption allegations.
The report proposes a 100-day review of the Congress’s political and organisational performance over the past two decades.
In the first year, provincial task forces would be formed to implement programmes focused on education, nutrition, employment, good governance and green development.
The party would also publish an annual “Prosperity Report” to assess progress.
A five-generation party
Thapa has proposed restructuring the Nepali Congress around cooperation among five generations.
He has called for institutional structures focused on leadership development, policy, elections and good governance, alongside greater investment in political and organisational training.
The report also proposes establishing a Rs 100 million endowment fund for families of martyrs, those injured in political movements and displaced families, with long-term support for education and healthcare.
Overall, the report presents the Nepali Congress’s future direction as something broader than a change in party leadership.
It proposes a transformation of the party’s political culture and organisation alongside reforms in the economy, employment, private-sector investment, youth policy, technology, social protection, federalism and governance.
The central challenge, the report suggests, is to rebuild the Congress’s relationship with citizens while creating a party capable of responding to a changing political and social landscape.
