Gagan Thapa Says Nepali Congress Has Changed Beyond Leadership Faces

Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has said that real change in the party is not just about changing leaders. Speaking at the formation ceremony of the Kathmandu-4 Congress Election Deployment Core Committee on Saturday, he said the party’s way of thinking, working, and making decisions has also changed.

Thapa said the Congress now stands before the people with a new mindset and renewed confidence. “The party has not changed only because new faces have come forward. Changing leaders is normal. What has really changed is our thinking, our promises, our working style, and our actions. Because of this, the results will also be different,” he said.

He added that the party has accepted the voice and expectations of the new generation and is moving ahead with fresh energy and new ideas. At the same time, he said the Congress will move forward by keeping the good values of its past.

Thapa said people now expect political parties to focus on good governance, maintain zero tolerance toward corruption, and follow principles rather than chase power. According to him, citizens prefer a party that gives up power instead of giving up its values.

Talking about young people, Thapa said the youth want political parties to be smart, capable, and efficient. They want their voices to be heard and expect parties to protect their dignity. He said people want Congress to carry the spirit of past democratic movements, not become a party that only appears during elections.

Thapa also announced that the party’s 15th General Convention will be held before the upcoming local and provincial elections. He said candidates for elections will now be selected from the ward level through a primary election system.

“Before the next local and provincial elections, the party convention will be completed. From now on, ward members themselves will choose candidates. No one will need to go to the houses of party leaders to ask for tickets,” he said.

He also declared that internal factions within the party have ended. He said the old 60–40 power-sharing system is over and there will be no internal or external quotas. “Everyone in the party will be treated equally,” he said.

Thapa said the party is working to strengthen both citizens and party members. He stressed that there will be no special or hidden relationships with party leaders behind closed doors. “This is the new Congress,” he said.

Speaking about his decision to leave Kathmandu-4 and contest from Sarlahi, Thapa said it was emotionally difficult for him. He said both he and his supporters were in tears when the decision was made. “To lead the country, we must embrace Madhesh. I want to connect Madhesh with Kathmandu, not divide them. Please don’t say I left Kathmandu-4. I am still here, and I am also in Madhesh to bring change,” he said.

Thapa remembered the love and support he received from Kathmandu-4, where he won three elections. He said people voted for him not just as a Congress leader, but because of personal trust and affection.

He also said the upcoming election in Kathmandu-4 will be easier than before. “The atmosphere was positive. Many people, even from other parties, wanted me to contest again from here,” he said.