SGC Called to Address Public Disenchantment: NC General Secretary Thapa

Kathmandu, Jan 11 — Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has said the Special General Convention (SGC) was convened to respond to growing public dissatisfaction and restore public confidence in political parties.

Addressing the two-day SGC that began in Kathmandu on Sunday, Thapa said political parties must seriously address the anger and frustration expressed during the Gen Z movement last September. He noted that the public outrage was largely directed at the government, of which the Nepali Congress was a partner.

“Young people are angry because of corruption, poor governance and systemic irregularities. They feel hurt and disillusioned by the dominance of ‘nepo babies’ in the republican system established after the abolition of the monarchy,” Thapa said.

In this context, he explained that the SGC was called to listen to those voices and respond meaningfully. He clarified that although the initiative of the two general secretaries to convene the SGC may be portrayed as a power struggle, it is in fact a struggle over ideology, values and democratic norms.

Thapa said it was essential to reflect on the resentment shown by thousands of people who took to the streets under the banner of the Gen Z movement. “A democratic party like the Nepali Congress cannot afford to ignore such widespread dissatisfaction or dismiss it as a routine incident,” he said.

Expressing regret over the absence of the party president and acting president at the convention, Thapa said the leadership’s presence would have strengthened the deliberations. Leaders from the faction led by party President Sher Bahadur Deuba have boycotted the SGC.

Stating that the Nepali Congress is a national force, Thapa said the party bears responsibility for addressing national challenges and safeguarding public trust. He recalled that the NC has a long tradition of earning and sustaining public confidence since the democratic movement of 2007 BS.

To inspire hope among the younger generation, Thapa stressed the need to create an environment that encourages youth to stay and build their future within the country.

During his address, Thapa pledged to abide by the decisions of the SGC representatives, emphasizing that under the party statute, no individual is above the general convention. He said the SGC should conclude with meaningful outcomes, living up to its name as a “special” convention.