DHANKUTA, OCTOBER 29

Minister of Defence Minendra Rijal said that it was a compulsion rather than a choice for Nepali Congress to lead the government.

"After the communist party that rose to power with maximum votes of the people failed to drive the nation, we were left with no other choice but to take charge to lead the country until the next election," said the minister, speaking at a programme in Chhathar Jorpati Rural Municipality-6 today.

Rijal, also a Nepali Congress leader, arrived in the rural municipality to inaugurate a ward-level party office.

"In fact, NC was ready to be in the opposition by respecting people's mandate, but what we could do when the largest party failed in its job pathetically," said the minister.

On a different note, the Nepali Congress leader said the upcoming general convention of the party must be held in consensus as far as possible. "In case consensus couldn't be secured, representatives could be elected through vote," he said.

He also stressed the need of election of new generation in the party to take the country on the path to prosperity and change.

A version of this article appears in the print on October 30, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.