KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that Prime Minister Balen Shah has been given a historic opportunity similar to what BP Koirala received in 2015 BS to move the country forward significantly.
Speaking at the first edition of the “Swarna Shamsher Economic Series–1” organized by the party’s Policy, Research and Training Academy, Thapa said the current government has a rare opportunity to transform the country.
Commenting on the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84 budget, he urged the government, which he described as having a strong mandate, to make full use of the opportunity to implement effective policies.
He said, “Just like the governments of 2015 and 2048 BS, the government led by Balen Shah also has strong public support. This is not a routine government formed through regular elections but one that emerged from a major movement.”
Referring to the protests of Bhadra 23 and 24, he said the government formed after the movement carries a strong mandate for reform and accountability.
Thapa added that the current administration has full authority to prepare and implement the budget and should use this period effectively.
On economic policy, he referred to structural challenges highlighted in the Economic Survey presented by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, saying that policy prescriptions are meaningful only if the diagnosis of problems is correct.
He also clarified that major parties like the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are not waiting for the government’s failure, but rather expect it to succeed.
Recalling historical governments led by BP Koirala in 2015 BS and the 2048 BS Nepali Congress government, Thapa said Nepal had missed opportunities due to political instability and internal disputes.
He emphasized that the current government must fully utilize the “historic opportunity” it has received to deliver results.
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