Gagan Thapa Asserts Election on Falgun 21 is Mandatory to Restore the Constitution

Kathmandu: Gagan Thapa, General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, has stated that holding the election on Falgun 21 (March 5) is mandatory under the current circumstances.

Addressing a gathering of party cadres from Kathmandu Constituency No. 4 on Monday, Thapa argued that while the election results are a separate matter, the polls are essential to bring the Constitution back on track.

"In today's context, there are concerns about whether the election will happen, what happens if it doesn't, and whether it will be peaceful," Thapa said. "Based on the official decision of the Nepali Congress, I must say that holding the election on Falgun 21 is mandatory. 

How favorable the results will be for us is our internal matter which we will manage, but the election is necessary because the Constitution has veered off course. To bring it back to its path, we must hold the election on Falgun 21; it will bring a new Parliament, and then work will gradually move forward."

However, he cautioned that while the election is mandatory, it might not be a total solution. He noted that if the current underlying issues are not addressed, instability might persist even after the polls.

"We had a Parliament and governments before. A new government might replace the previous one, but the parties and the electoral system remain the same. All parties will find a place in power somewhere. We might see another coalition government that eventually falls. If the issues currently being raised are not addressed, some form of unrest will continue even after the election. The election is mandatory, but that alone is not enough," he added.

Thapa also discussed the party's upcoming convention, emphasizing that it is not just about electing new leadership but also about rebuilding the party. 

He officially declared his candidacy for the presidency in the 15th General Convention, stating, "I am a candidate for the President of the party in the 15th General Convention. I want to become the party President, but the reason we must go through this convention is that it’s not just about a new leader—it’s about making the party new again."