KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 22
Ending months of uncertainty, the Nepali Congress today decided to take part in the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
Now the only party that seeks reinstatement of the HoR is the KP Sharma Oli-led CPN-UML.
HoR was dissolved in the face of Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9 that also toppled the KP Sharma Oli government.
A Central Working Committee meeting of the NC took a decision today about its participation in the upcoming elections, saying that although the HoR dissolution was unconstitutional, it believes that elections are the only proper political exit at this stage. The NC said the Supreme Court would offer the final interpretation of the relevant laws.
Expressing concerns over the law-and-order situation and political confrontations between forces, the NC urged the government to build environment conducive for March 5 elections. NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa told media persons after the party's Central Working Committee meeting that his party would hold dialogue with all the stakeholders, including those that have opposed the elections and help build conducive environment for March 5 elections. He said NC would also put pressure on the government to make environment conducive for elections. In an oblique reference to the CPN-UML which formed National Volunteers Force, Thapa said while some political parties were adopting confrontational path, NC would work to promote peace in the country.
We firmly believe that through elections, the constitution can be safeguarded and the voices raised by Gen-Z during the protests for change can be institutionalized, enabling the country to move forward, the NC said in its press release.
The NC also said that a fear-free environment is indispensable for the election. It however, said the current situation where thousands of inmates are still at large, large quantities of weapons are missing and political parties unable to conduct their programs freely, and even the minimum conditions required for conducting the election not being established-is extremely serious.
The NC said on September 9, amid an unimaginable situation of destruction and anarchy in the country, the question of pulling the nation out of the crisis and protecting the constitution had become extremely sensitive and to address the demands of protesting Gen-Z youth and to maintain peace and security, the President was compelled to appoint an interim Prime Minister from outside the Parliament.
However, the NC had a clear view that, according to constitutional provisions, a solution could have been sought from within the Parliament.
The NC said the move to dissolve the HoR is against the spirit of the constitution and the interpretation of the Supreme Court.
The dissolution of Parliament is unconstitutional. This step has put democratic achievements at risk. The NC firmly believes that solutions are possible within the constitution itself. Now that an interim government has been formed, the House of Representatives has been dissolved, and the election date has been announced, the matter has become not only political but constitutional as well. Since the issue is under consideration at the Supreme Court, the NC believes the final interpretation will come from the Supreme Court.
Expresses serious concern over the 'current state of law and order and the increasing provocative and anarchic activities in recent days, the NC said in such a sensitive situation, any attempt by any political party, group, or side to incite violence, disturb social harmony, or spread provocation and hatred in any form is unacceptable.
In a democratic system governed by the rule of law, the NC said, restricting anyone out of impulse, imposing bans on peaceful protests or freedom of expression cannot be considered natural or acceptable.
NC further said to protecting and institutionalise the federal, inclusive, democratic republican system, it is essential that all political parties participate enthusiastically in the House of Representatives election to be held on March 5.
The NC strongly urges the Election Commission, the government, and all concerned authorities to create the necessary environment to ensure a fair, credible, and fear-free election.
The NC believes that a multilateral national dialogue is essential to address the voices raised for change through the Gen-Z protests. To move the country toward peace, prosperity, and stability, a shared understanding is necessary by holding dialogue with all sides on issues such as good governance and transparency, in accordance with the spirit and values of the constitution.
NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa said that they would take a call on the next National Convention of the party because today they did not have enough time to discuss the issues. He said there was no alternative to holding Special National Convention of the party before mid-January. Thapa believed that the regular National Convention could still be held by Mid-December but if the party cannot do so, it must hold special convention by mid-January so that the party could contest elections under new leadership. The establishment faction of the NC wants to hold next party convention only after March 5 elections but NC General Secretary Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma are opposed to it.
