Gagan Thapa Calls to Protect Nepali Democracy from Populism

Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa emphasized the urgent need to protect Nepal’s democracy from the rising threat of populism.

Speaking at a Wednesday interaction program for intellectual professionals, he highlighted that even fully established democracies have fallen prey to populist forces, and Nepal is now at a critical point where it must prevent such a scenario. Thapa questioned whether periodic elections alone can handle populism when it arrives carrying unchecked authority, stressing that the country’s democracy and economy still face significant challenges.

He also criticized coalition politics, arguing that political parties have hijacked citizens’ right to choose. Thapa stated that Nepali Congress is contesting independently in 165 constituencies, aiming to make at least a partial effort to “clean up” the political system and restore accountability, regardless of election outcomes.