Former minister and then member of parliament Rajan KC (67), a resident of Kirtipur, has announced that he has put an end to his journey in parliamentary politics. KC is the then MP elected from Kathmandu-10 Kirtipur.

KC, who has been contesting for parliamentary politics since 2006, said that he will not contest for the National Assembly, proportional representation, or any other election. In this context, leader Rajan KC had a conversation with Kulchandra Neupane for Kantipur: Why did you announce your departure from parliamentary politics?

I have been contesting elections since 2006. I have won three times since 2007 and have worked as an MP. Towards the end of 2007, I also became a minister in the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government. Now, why should the same person contest elections repeatedly? I have already given what I had to give to my place, now whatever it is, it is the same. On the other hand, I have also worked to address the sentiments of the Genji movement and pave the way for new generations to come.

Didn't you make the announcement with the intention that the election will not be won after the Gen-G movement?

No, even now there is no possibility of me losing in Kirtipur. However, I made this announcement before the Gen-G movement. As soon as I won the 2079 election, all my friends in the area should be ready, it will not be just me. I had said that I would not contest the next election. I have only made it public now. There are educated friends within the party too. You have been working for twenty years. It was not just that the youth should come by closing the doors and windows. That is why you opened the windows after not being able to open the doors.

Are you now retiring from politics?

You have been the ward chairman since 2051. After that, I was elected as the chairman of the district development committee, the unit chairman of the party, the regional chairman and the central member. There are young people who are passionate about technology and are full of energy to reform the party. I have been saying that this is my last term since I won the 2079 election to give them space.

Kirtipur was once the red fort of UML. Now, the Congress has won all three municipalities of Kirtipur. The Congress has won all ten wards of Kirtipur. Once again, the Congress will win in Kirtipur. I have not only been an MP but have been continuously working on the organization from the ward and village. Now I cannot just stand in the way. I have decided to leave because I cannot bring in a new leadership like this.

President Sher Bahadur Deuba has come to say that he will contest the election at the age of 80, and you announced that you would leave, how did this inspiration come?

I am trying to give a message within the party and for the country. I may not want a fundamental change alone. But I believe that this will send a positive message. I have understood the psychology of society for a long time. I have experienced where society is going. I have experienced how the political situation is deteriorating. Based on all this, I have decided to leave the path. The Gen-G Momentum had an even greater impact on that.

Are you saying that the chairman should not contest elections?

I cannot tell the chairman to leave. It is his right to fight or not to fight. However, this announcement of mine is to give a message in politics. I am in a group of 25 brothers from the establishment side that the youth should now take the leadership within the party too. It is not a matter of putting forward slogans and usurping them in practice.

What kind of person do you want to see as an MP in your constituency now?

The younger generation should come. I think such a young person, who has gained the popularity of the people, has worked in good times and bad and is also contributing to the party, would have stepped forward.

While leaving, have you also put forward some principles that the party should adopt in principle?

My principle belief is that an MP should not serve more than two terms. I have always been a candidate from Kirtipur on a single recommendation. Even now, my friends are withholding the recommendation saying that it will not be possible under any circumstances. But, after I announced, there is no question of returning. My belief is that MPs, ministers and even the Prime Minister, like the Speaker, should not serve more than two terms.

Are you leaving only parliamentary politics or are you also trying to separate from the party?

I work in the party. Now I am a central member. I will stand as a central member in the next convention as well. I want to stand as a central member and do the work of the party at the central level. But, I don't know about the National Assembly or proportional representation in the parliamentary field.