Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala has said that an environment should be created to involve all Nepalis in the upcoming elections. He said that only elections can lead all Nepalis towards a future-oriented direction in a single campaign.

"The current constitution, which was built after seven decades of effort, is currently in a semi-conscious state. Where we stand in defense of this constitution will determine the future political direction," Koirala said in a written statement at the Central Working Committee meeting starting on Thursday. "I think the results of considering the election option can make us irrelevant not only to the younger generation but also to the country's politics."

He mentioned that not only the Congress but also other political parties, all generations, the media sector, partner countries and development partner agencies, including the Gen-G generation, have given the current government an election 'mandate' and said that there is no alternative to elections.

'There is no alternative to this national sentiment.' The Congress should enthusiastically stand at the forefront of this opportunity to reach the doorsteps of the people and restore its lost or waning credibility and trust among the people,' he said, 'The government should create a free, fair and fearless environment to create an environment for general elections.'

To make the elections fearless, the government should bring the looted weapons under its control and the criminals who escaped from prison should be searched again on a war footing and brought to justice without delay, he said.

'A society living in fear cannot participate in an unhindered election, therefore it is the government's responsibility to create an environment for elections in the society.' In this regard, there has been some lack of activity in the current government,' Koirala said further, 'No civilized society can accept things like vandalism, arson, looting and murder and violence committed in the name of the Gen-G movement.' The arson, looting and destruction of people's homes and properties, national heritage, homes of entrepreneurs, business centers, government buildings, and the houses of leaders who contributed to nation building have left a huge scar on our society. This is an irreparable loss. It is never acceptable to identify such anti-social and criminal elements and let them go without punishing them according to the prevailing law.'

Koirala has proposed that the 15th general convention of the party be held within the month of Mangsir 2082 to make the Nepali Congress a party with a new direction and new prospects. ‘I am confident that the General Secretary will bring a schedule to hold the general convention in the coming Mangsir itself and I want to make it clear that I will have my full support for it,’ Koirala said, ‘I understand that the signature campaign raised in the context of the special general convention and enthusiastically conducted by friends from within the Congress is to fill the Congress with energy.’

He concluded that freshness in all these addresses and leadership is possible only through regular general conventions. ‘This historic responsibility has not come before us today as a mere ritual. In the true sense, the Congress is to instill confidence and trust in becoming a party that is the carrier of change in the country and a party that has risen with moral weight, and is composed of youth, energy and experienced generations.’ I firmly believe that we can do this through a regular convention,' he said. 'The results from the general convention will once again awaken the Congress among the general public and provide an opportunity for the elections to be held on Falgun 21.'