Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has said that a minimum national consensus between political parties and civic forces is necessary ahead of Nepal’s upcoming elections.
Speaking about his interactions with youths affiliated with the Gen Z Movement and various civil society groups, Thapa said historical experience has already demonstrated the importance of political understanding prior to elections. He recalled that youths associated with the movement had also taken part in an all-party meeting convened earlier by the Prime Minister.
Thapa said he raised these issues during both group discussions and one-on-one meetings with individuals involved in the Gen Z Movement. He added that he has been sharing the experiences and concerns raised in those meetings with leaders from both established and newly formed political parties.
According to Thapa, Nepal faced a similar political situation ahead of the 2006 People’s Movement (2062–63 BS). At the time, street protests demanding the restoration of Parliament were underway, but political parties ultimately reached an understanding that led to the reinstatement of the legislature.
He said the historic declaration made during the first session of the reinstated Parliament provided a new direction for Nepal’s democratic journey. “That declaration was not merely symbolic,” Thapa said, noting that it clearly expressed a commitment to building an inclusive democracy.
Thapa explained that ensuring proportional representation and reflecting Nepal’s multi-ethnic, multilingual, multi-religious, and multicultural character within the state structure formed the core spirit of that declaration.
He said the Interim Constitution was drafted as a continuation of the same commitment, and that the progressive provisions included from the Interim Constitution to the current Constitution are rooted in the first declaration of the reinstated Parliament.
In the current context, Thapa said the role of citizen leaders, opinion leaders, and socially conscious individuals who can think beyond party boundaries is crucial. He stressed that both experienced civic leaders and politically aware, energetic youths must be part of this process.
While political competition is natural, Thapa said it should not become the sole focus. “People may join parties, contest elections, or choose not to,” he said. “We compete, we win, we lose. But there must also be space outside party politics to think and work collectively on shared national agendas.”
He underlined the need to move forward by prioritizing the agendas of good governance, corruption control, and institutional reform that were publicly articulated on September 8 and 9.
Thapa said the present need is to bring different political parties to a common platform, facilitate round-table dialogues, and initiate a broader national conversation that includes both new and established political forces.
“Just as a minimum consensus was built before the movements of 2042/43 BS, a similar shared understanding is required today,” Thapa said. “After elections, Parliament is formed and governments are run. But on major issues such as constitutional amendment, electoral system reform, good governance, corruption control, and institutional reform, consensus between political parties and civic forces is essential.”
With this objective, Thapa said he has reached out to those involved in the Gen Z Movement through videos and public statements, calling for dialogue. He urged participants to begin discussions at a smaller level and, if necessary, expand them into a broader national dialogue.
Concluding his remarks, Thapa extended greetings for the English New Year and urged citizens to play an active role, from their respective positions, in ensuring a free, fair, and credible election.
