Youth leaders of Nepali Congress Gagan Thapa, Gururaj Ghimire and Pradeep Poudel have proposed reshaping the party ideology, along with a revamping of “obsolete” party structures, in the federal set-up.

Ahead of the party’s 13th General Convention, the three Central Working Committee members proposed a strong and vibrant party structure, and leadership which could take a lead role in implementing the newly adopted constitution.

They jointly unveiled a document proposing a reworked party ideology and a complete overhaul of the party structure. Though the constitution conveys a message that there is no alternative to “pluralistic democracy”, they argued, there are still complications relating to Madhesis, Tharus, Dalits and Janajatis regarding federalism and relations with India.

“We have already sensed signs of the difficulty in implementing the new constitution. If the party leadership tackles new challenges, it will help develop new

national unity while promoting development. The upcoming convention should fulfil this responsibility,” the document reads.

According to the youth leaders, implementation of the new constitution will be tough if the NC fails to take a lead in resolving the Madhes crisis. They are of the view that foreign meddling of Nepal’s internal affairs should be stopped while using neighbouring countries to serve Nepal’s national interests. “Otherwise there will be geopolitical complications in enforcing the constitution.”

Before the tenure of the current Parliament ends in two years, there is the need to conduct local, provincial and national elections. “We failed to address the Madhes movement, prevent attacks from extremist forces and manage relations with our neighbours,” they said.

They demanded that the upcoming convention make a commitment to providing ideological leadership to the nation and create a foundation to lead the country on the path set by the new charter.

The youth leaders are of the view that the NC should be clear about its ideology—how a just and dynamic society could be created on the basis of nationalism, democracy and socialism. They sought an end to the party’s state of ideological confusion. The paper argues that issues such as education and health and other social agendas should be put at the centre stage of politics along with the democratisation of institutions and structures.

Stressing on economic growth, they underlined the need for equitable distribution of wealth and employment for all.

Thapa, Ghimire and Poudel called for transparent relations with the neighbouring countries. “Both India and China have their strategic concerns in Nepal; we should pay attention to them. We should also be clear about our strategic interests and firmly stand in favour of them,” the trio said, proposing trilateral cooperation between Nepal, China and India.

On party membership, the NC leaders said the practice of distributing active membership was not transparent as some leaders had been issuing it as they pleased. Ending factional politics is another agenda of theirs.

At least at the electoral constituency, district and provincial level, there should be the system of direct election of leaders and cadres. There should be a way to induct intellectuals to the party’s decision-making level. They are demanding youths’ representation at least in the Officer Bearers of the party.

The youth leaders have appealed to the party rank and file for an intensive discussion on the party ideology and structure.

• Reshaping the party ideology, revamping ‘obsolete’ party structures
• Leadership that can take a lead role in implementing the new constitution
• No alternative to ‘pluralistic democracy’
• Foreign meddling of Nepal’s internal affairs should end
• Neighbouring countries should be used to serve Nepal’s national interests
• Creation of just and dynamic society on the basis of nationalism, democracy, socialism
• Social agendas should be at the centre stage of politics along with democratisation of institutions and structures