Overall, the leadership of newly elected Congress President Thapa and Vice President Sharma has brought new enthusiasm to politics. A new working committee has also been formed in the Congress under their leadership. The leaders who have always played the role of opposition within the party have now become an institution and have high expectations from society.
What you should know
With the Election Commission giving its approval, the special general convention of the Nepali Congress has been constitutionally approved. Civil society, which has been advocating for generational change and policy clarity in Nepali politics, is also excited by this 'departure' in the country's old party.
Even the ranks that were disappointed by the stubbornness of the top political leadership are showing optimism. Therefore, it can be assessed that the turmoil within the Congress will have a multifaceted impact on Nepali politics and society.
Mainly, the older generation of leaders are dominant in all established parties and a sense of instigation has been created within them. Therefore, the changes within the Congress will further strengthen the pressure and justification for the departure of the old leadership in those other parties as well. In addition, the way the general convention delegates used their independence and sovereignty within the Congress has motivated the leaders and cadres of all parties. Therefore, the mentality that leaders and cadres are only obedient to the main leadership of the party can also be broken.
Nepal's politics is becoming like a frozen pond. For decades, the same leaders have been in party and state power who have increased corruption, nepotism, and instability and have distorted political culture by abusing each other in the name of criticizing each other. They have developed an arrogance that considers themselves above the constitution, law, and procedure.
The special general convention of the Congress is an example, even after 54 percent of the general convention delegates submitted their signatures to the central office demanding a special general convention, the leadership ignored them. The rights of the general convention delegates were undermined by manipulating the special general convention arrangement, which is mandatory under the statute. The Gen-G rebellion occurred on 23 Bhadra due to the same leadership. The infiltration on 24 Bhadra and the unnatural damage were also caused, that is a different topic of discussion.
Should we feel the message of the Gen-G movement or not? Should we be ready for the changes sought by society and time or not? Should we make the party just a tool for manipulation or create hope in society with policy clarity and innovation in leadership? This is the whole issue of the recent struggle within the Congress.
The special general convention was called on the initiative of the then general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma, saying that the leaders of the older generation were keeping the party in the status quo. Who has elected Thapa as the president. Such a big change in a so-called democratic party should have happened through a natural process and united efforts. It should have happened with the participation, good wishes and blessings of the old leaders. But the old leaders who have only read the history of sacrifices and do not have the generosity to say that they should sacrifice themselves are now facing an identity crisis because they are stuck in their inertia.
The then top leadership of the Congress had to be displaced because they could not even have common sense. The leadership could not understand the widespread changes in the consciousness and desires of the society. The society has compared the developments elsewhere with its own situation. It has imagined what a leader should be like at the time. But Sher Bahadur Deuba did not even bother to explain why a large number of the representatives who elected him wanted a special general convention.
The way Deuba and his 'club' remained unconcerned while he was signing, submitting documents to the central office, coming to Kathmandu for the general convention, actively participating in the general convention and increasing pressure for a leadership change, confirms the justification for the displacement of that line from the leadership. Because, a leadership that does not even have a basic understanding of the voices within the party cannot solve the complexities of Nepali society and address the aspirations.
Overall, the leadership of newly elected Congress President Thapa and Vice President Sharma has brought new enthusiasm to politics. A new working committee has also been formed in the Congress under their leadership. The leaders who have been continuously in the role of opposition within the party before now have high expectations from society after becoming an institution. The test for them, who have moved from the place of asking questions to the place of answering, has begun. Their success will be considered only if they can make the party like a party, strengthen the rules and procedures and democratic values within the party, make the cadres sovereign and active, and make the competition between the parties constructive.
When the dispute over the legitimacy of the party within the Congress reached the Election Commission, there was uncertainty as to whether it would give a decision on time or not. The confusion caused by the Commission in some disputes in the past had increased such suspicion. When the then ruling party, the NCP, split on 2077 Poush 5, the Election Commission was not able to give a decision until Falgun 23.
Rather, the role of the Election Commission had become irrelevant after the Supreme Court itself annulled the formation of the NCP. But this time, the Commission has improved its own image by taking a quick and clear decision. It is a commendable step to prevent confusion and controversy from continuing. The people have been looking for such a dynamic constitutional and public institution.
