Gagan Thapa: Nepali Congress to Clarify Stance on Supreme Court Order

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has stated that the recent order from the Supreme Court regarding the Congress has raised some questions, and the party will clarify its stance through a Central Committee meeting. Speaking at a conference of the party-affiliated Indigenous Nationalities Federation in Kathmandu, President Thapa said that the questions raised would be discussed in the Central Committee meeting on Shrawan 24th to determine the party's stance. “There was an order yesterday concerning the Congress party. Naturally, there are some questions, and there will be,” said President Thapa. “We will hold a Central Committee meeting, patiently and thoroughly discuss, and then form our opinion and stance based on that.” On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered the registration of a petition from the group opposing a special general convention. Citing that context, President Thapa stated that a special general convention was necessary, as the party's sovereign members exercised their right as per the provisions in the Congress party's statute to hold a special general convention. “We also had the right to hold a general convention. We have already confirmed the legality of the special general convention from the special general convention hall,” said President Thapa. “The Election Commission has confirmed the legality of the special general convention. The division bench of the respected court, the Supreme Court, has confirmed the legality of the special general convention.” He added that even so, the court's statement that this needs to be reconfirmed provides them with another opportunity to confirm that the special general convention was legal and correct. “It is our duty to participate in the court's process. We will participate and proudly defend the legal work,” said President Thapa. “I am aware that I am not currently serving as the President of the Nepali Congress.” Constitution Amendment Taken Lightly President Thapa also stated that the Balendra-led government has been taking the constitution amendment lightly. “The constitution is a document. We work on it, add to it, improve it, and remove some things,” he said. “But if we do not understand the sensitivities within it, Nepal can fall into a crisis at any time.” He said that the government's understanding of the constitution could push the country into a major conflict. “We must not let Nepal fall into that conflict; you and I have to work. The Nepali Congress has to work,” said President Thapa. Governance Anarchy of Balen Government President Thapa expressed dissatisfaction with the government's actions. “I am seeing governance anarchy. A Member of Parliament has threatened to break legs, a minister has also threatened to break legs, and whatever they feel like doing,” said Thapa. “The Prime Minister held a meeting without including ministers. The ministers also got agitated yesterday and had a discussion with the people from the banks, excluding the Governor of the central bank. Whatever they feel like doing.” President Thapa also questioned why such things are happening. “The head is the Prime Minister, the main person. What has happened to the Prime Minister's office, the Prime Minister's headquarters? They have picked up people. Does that happen? What did the Prime Minister's office do to the Chief of the Commission the other day by picking up people in broad daylight?” he said, adding that while such activities might seem normal, the issue is sensitive.