FUTURE NEPALI CONGRESS
The Kathmandu Post
21
February 2016
FUTURE NEPALI CONGRESS
Given the sudden and sad demise of Sushil
Koirala, it will be interesting to see the outcome of the 13th
General Convention (CG) of the Nepali Congress (NC) that is going to be held
in Kathmandu from 3-6 March. Being the oldest and one
of the largest party, it cannot shy away from implementing the new constitution,
which should be one of its prime agendas (“Statute, Madhes to top agenda” 17
February, Page 3). Also, the people are expecting to see its clear policy
on the Madhesi issue so that the political unrest in the Tarai can be successfully
resolved. However, the young leaders have started complaining that the senior
leaders do not seem serious about deliberations on the issue due to leadership
tussle between the rival factions.
Observing closely the ongoing political
activities of NC, it does not seem that there will be any major deviation in
its policies and programmes. However, its Madhesi leaders seem to be exerting
pressure on senior leaders to incorporate the demands of the Madhesis in its
constitution which may give rise to differences within the party. We are yet to
see how the senior leaders will draft their political documents in the CG. The
most obvious thing to observe in their political document will be the party’s
future course in the changed context. Unless the rival factions sit together
and intensively discuss its policies and programmes, the chances of seeing an effective
political document appear slim.
There seem to be both challenges and
opportunity for NC in the days to come. It is yet to be seen as to how the NC
will give shape to its future Central Working Committee. Recently, youth
leaders Gagan Thapa, Pradeep Poudel and Gururaj Ghimire have unveiled their
proposal about the party’s ideology and restructuring based on the changed
political context. Until its senior leaders continue to engage in rivalry, the NC
will gradually lose its charm. Time is ripe for them to abandon their self-centred
petty politics, run the party cohesively.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj.
