Bishwa Prakash Sharma: Special Convention Must Send a Message of Change Beyond Positions

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress General Secretary Vishwa Prakash Sharma has stated that the party's second special convention must deliver a clear message of transforming the Congress by rising above personal positions.

Addressing the closed session of the special convention on Tuesday evening, General Secretary Sharma expressed his commitment to passing the party's vision document after refining and maturing it by incorporating all suggestions raised during the session. 

He mentioned that the document would include not only suggestions from convention delegates but also feedback from leaders, cadres, intellectuals, and the media outside the party.

"This document is not just a booklet of a few thousand words; it is a shared vision of how the Congress views today's Nepal," Sharma said. "It incorporates how to lead the aspirations of the youth and how to embrace past achievements and weaknesses."

Mentioning that the Congress is starting a new journey through self-reflection, General Secretary Sharma presented the closed session, which lasted continuously for more than nine hours, as an example of democratic practice within the party. "Discussing for more than nine hours without even a meal break is in itself a sign of the Congress's seriousness," he said.

Providing information regarding candidate registration, Sharma stated that around 950 individuals have reportedly taken forms. 

He hinted that a situation might arise where leadership needs to be selected through consensus due to special circumstances, reminding everyone that the message is more important than the position. "Whether I attained a position or not is not the main point; the message given by this special convention is what matters most," he clarified.

Recalling the history of the Congress, Sharma cited examples of leaders spending time in prison for democracy. "We must learn patience, restraint, and militancy from our seniors," he said.

General Secretary Sharma mentioned that he and another General Secretary, Gagan Thapa, are moving the party forward while holding the same responsibility, and he urged everyone to prioritize the institution over the individual. "The culture of 'we' rather than 'I' must be established in the Congress," he remarked.

He urged for the proposed document to be passed unanimously and expressed confidence that after the special convention, a message would reach across the country that the Nepali Congress is moving forward with new energy and a transformed image.