KATHMANDU: Eighteen-year-old Abhipsa Poudel has registered her candidacy for the post of central member at the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention.
Poudel, the youngest General Convention representative of the Nepali Congress, has registered her candidacy from the youth women’s cluster under the geographical category representing Bagmati Province.
Here is an excerpt from her conversation with Khabarhub:
What are your plans if you become a central member of the Nepali Congress?
The Nepali Congress has been shrinking as public trust in the party has declined. In the days ahead, young people like us need to enter leadership and rebuild that trust. The Nepali Congress is a party for the people, not for power, and we need to demonstrate that the party works for the people.
My main agenda will be to work for young people and women. I will raise my voice for young people across my generation. I want to see more employment opportunities created in Nepal.
In terms of women, it is not enough for women only in my area or Kathmandu to understand their rights and become independent. As a feminist, I want to include women from Karnali to Koshi provinces, help them understand their rights and support them in becoming independent.
What are you doing currently?
I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Padma Kanya Campus.
Are you confident that you will win?
Of course. No one contests an election hoping to lose. I need your support, love, trust and confidence to win. I have come into the Nepali Congress with faith in the party and have already devoted my energy and commitment to it. I ask everyone to support and help me and not let me down.
Some say the Nepali Congress’ organisation has become unwieldy. How do you view this?
We need to move forward by including everyone. As an inclusive party, the Nepali Congress should bring together people from all sections, including experts, youths, women and Dalits. It should represent everyone from east to west and become an inclusive voice for all.
That is why we have come with different clusters. If the youth cluster had not been introduced, I probably would not have contested either. I am grateful for this opportunity. We want to work now. The number of positions may not be very large, and that is okay.
Has Deuba started preparing for the next General Convention? How should the party move forward now?
There is no alternative to staying united. I have no objection to Sher Bahadur Deuba and have no issue with him. Rather than moving forward under Sher Bahadur Deuba’s guidance, we need to move forward together. We are one, and the Nepali Congress will always remain one.
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