Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has said that the party’s candidate selection process has reached its final stage and that efforts are being made to ensure it is inclusive and in line with party statutes.
In a video message released on Monday, Thapa said the selection of candidates should not be centralized but should instead be based on recommendations from the grassroots level. He stated that the party has also proposed amendments to the statute to ensure candidates are selected directly from each electoral constituency.
He noted that before he assumed leadership responsibilities, candidate recommendations had already been submitted from all 165 electoral constituencies under the existing statute. In some areas, multiple candidates were recommended, while in others, consensus could not be reached.
According to Thapa, the situation became more complex as elections were announced shortly after he took office. Following decisions by the Election Commission, some party members expressed dissatisfaction and sought legal review, he said.
Thapa added that he made efforts until Sunday evening to accommodate those seeking legal recourse and bring them along in the process, which has resulted in significant time pressure.
He further stated that the party is working to maintain a balance between senior and new leaders while making the candidate selection process more inclusive.
Call for Unity and Collective Campaign
“We will finalize all matters within today,” Thapa said. “I will make the best possible effort. Whoever receives the official party endorsement with the tree symbol, all party members should unite behind that candidate without holding any reservations.”
Calling the election a collective campaign rather than an individual contest, Thapa urged party leaders and cadres to work together in unity for the party’s success.
