KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 10

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is vying for a second stint at the NC presidency, spoke briefly at the inaugural session of the party's 14th general convention, but tried to rally support for ending 'the reign of fear and intimidation' that NC leaders and cadres faced during KP Sharma Oli's rule.

Deuba said that if NC stayed in power till the elections, he would ensure NC governments at all levels - from local bodies to the federal government. 'You can count on me to form our governments at all levels,' Deuba said and repeatedly requested the convention representatives to vote for him.

Senior leader Ramchandra Paudel, who is also an aspirant for the top party post, said that the NC, which championed the cause of democracy, had the best political ideology, but it was not getting more than 30 per cent votes. He urged party leaders to introspect about its performance. He said the national convention would prove to be meaningful only if the party reviewed its past performance and made attempts to correct its mistakes.

'There is a deadlock between the Parliament and the judiciary, which is having a country-wide impact,' Paudel said. He added that the party needed to commit to ending corruption in politics and judiciary. 'Socialism means voiceless people get justice and the poor people get opportunity to make ends meet, but that's not happening,' he added.

NC Vice-president Bimalendra Nidhi, who will also contest party president's post, said the NC convention could be meaningful only if it enabled the party to win simple majority in the next elections so that the NC-led government could ensure successful implementation of the current political system and the new inclusive, federal, and secular constitution.

Another Vice-president Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar said the NC should stay united to face the challenges posed by communist forces that had gained more strength in the recent years.

Krishna Sitaula said the NC should ensure that competition for party leadership did not harm the party during the three types of elections that were round the corner.

CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal urged the NC not to move alone in the days ahead. 'We have seen how arrogant people who wanted to move ahead alone caused their own downfall,' Dahal said in an oblique reference to Oli.

Oli said his party was ready to work hand in hand with the NC for the sake of nationality, development, and people's welfare but the NC must lead other forces on the basis of its policies, and not be led by others.

CPN-US Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal said regressive forces were trying to raise their head but should not make attempts to restore the monarchy in the country or else people from Mechi to Mahakali will rise against them. 'People cannot accept monarchy. The former king can open a party or do business,' he added.

Newly elected Chair of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Rajendra Lingden said monarchy should be restored and there should be directly-elected prime ministerial system and fully propositional representation election system.

Dahal termed Lingden's statement as an attempt to reinstate autocracy in the country.

Democratic Socialist Party-Nepal Chair Mahantha Thakur said people of Madhes and Tharuhat region would hit the streets again if the constitution was not amended to meet their demands. Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal Chair Upendra Yadav said the state needed to ensure equality and social-justice for deprived communities.

Giving a congratulatory message, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Harsh Vardhan said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to see Nepal as a stable and strong country.

Indian National Congress leader Mukul Wasnik said the NC was vital for democracy in Nepal. He said his party would help Nepal gain new heights.

Over 4,700 representatives are attending the convention that will elect 13 office bearers of the party, including the president, two vice-presidents, two general secretaries, and eight joint general secretaries. The party will also elect a 134-member central working committee.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 11, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.