KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has warned that moving ahead with constitutional amendment without clearly defined priorities and objectives could push the country toward unexpected constitutional complications and conflict.
Speaking at a program titled held at the party’s central office in Sanepa, Lalitpur, on Thursday, Thapa criticized the government’s approach of attempting to amend broad constitutional provisions without first identifying specific problems requiring solutions.
He said amendments without clear priorities could increase political polarization, create unforeseen constitutional challenges, and weaken the foundation that connects Nepal’s diverse society and geography.
Thapa said democracy, republicanism, federalism, the parliamentary system, Nepal’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural identity, and proportional inclusive representation are the party’s fundamental principles and cannot be compromised.
He said the Nepali Congress is open to constitutional amendments aimed at reducing the size of the federal parliament and provincial assemblies, making the Council of Ministers smaller, and strengthening local governments by granting them more authority.
However, he argued that initiating amendments with the intention of removing established structures such as federalism would risk pushing the country toward conflict.
Thapa also criticized what he described as attempts to weaken constitutional bodies by limiting them to functioning under government influence. He said the Nepali Congress would not pursue a politics of power-sharing within the party or constitutional institutions, emphasizing the need to maintain impartiality, integrity, and institutional credibility.
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