LALITPUR: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that citizen supremacy remains the party’s top priority, pledging continued advocacy in favour of the people.
Speaking at the inaugural general convention of the party’s sister organisation, Nepal Tharu Association, held at the party central office in Sanepa on Saturday, Thapa said the Tharu community has made a significant contribution to national unification and maintaining national unity.
He said he would work to ensure easier access for Tharu community members to state institutions.
“B.P. Koirala had trusted and ensured representation of the Tharu community in leadership roles. The Tharu Association is an integral part of the party. The leadership elected from this convention should focus on increasing active party membership and should also be incorporated into constitutional amendments,” Thapa said.
He also said the Nepali Congress has been advocating economic reforms, adding that while the budget includes several improvement measures, it remains silent on addressing the concerns of low-income groups.
Nepali Congress General Secretary Pradeep Paudel said the Tharu community has played an important role in border security and economic development, stressing the need to protect constitutional rights and bring the community into the mainstream.
Another General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire described the Tharu community as indigenous to Nepal and called for collective efforts to ensure their political rights and upliftment, adding that Congress serves as a unifying force for the country’s diversity.
Party Treasurer Umesh Shrestha emphasized the need to move beyond individualistic thinking and focus on identifying Nepal’s potential for prosperity and political progress.
Joint General Secretary Yogendra Chaudhary stressed the importance of ensuring political, economic and social rights for all Nepali citizens, including the Tharu community.
Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader in the House of Representatives Bishmaraj Aangdembe said the party should address the aspirations of people from the Himalaya, hills and Tarai regions and ensure identity-related issues are reflected at all levels of the state.
Central Committee member Gopal Dahit noted that although the Tharu community makes up around 7 percent of the national population, its representation within the party’s active membership remains only about 3 percent.
Central Committee member Jeevan Rana highlighted the cultural and historical identity of the Tharu community, stressing their contribution to social justice and political transformation.
Former minister Tejulal Chaudhary said that even 11 years after the promulgation of the constitution, the party has not been able to adequately include Tharu community members in government services, provincial cabinets and political leadership.
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