With the country’s oldest party Nepali Congress taking bold step forward for updating change in handling party politics, people have begun to be optimistic about real time restoration and continuity of democratic values in the country. NC General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma called special general convention as per the NC statute despite objection from NC head and former PM Deuba and his team. They took that initiative to respond to the political movement that Gen Zs launched in September. Their 3-point mission behind the historic event – the second in history of 80 year old NC – could be summarized as driving the NC with fresh enthusiasm, doing politics as service to citizens with a sense of accountability, and contributing to good governance and meaningful development of the country. None of them appeared possible under old status quo NC. Over 60% elected representatives of NC convention supported the duo’s approach. As a result of the same, the NC will now go to the March 5- general election for 165-seats of House of Representatives with new agenda, fresh spirit and more youthful, new face-candidates. That would definitely transform the scenario for politics and choice in poll. Whether that will help the NC as a party gain more seats in parliament or not is something that cannot be predicted at the moment. What could be foretold, however, is: NC now says goodbye to transactional and leader-centric politics and operates from now on with a difference and high respect for democratic values. The special contribution that Gagan and Bishwa Prakash made through their call for Special General Convention in this regard deserves admiration.
