The preliminary draft of Nepali Congress’s (NC) policy and programme—which focuses on constitution implementation, addressing the concerns of Madhesi, and social and economic policy—was presented for deliberations at the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Tuesday. 

The new policy and programme, to be adopted from party’s upcoming General Convention, is expected to be endorsed in the next CWC meeting on Thursday. 

The draft prepared by a committee led by party’s Acting President Ram Chandra Poudel had been circulated among district committees for inputs, but only a few district committees have offered suggestions, according to NC leaders. 

The draft is very weak and it needs to be overhauled, say NC leaders.

“The document is very weak as it does not offer a direction for party,” said NC leader Prakash Sharan Mahat.

But members of the Poudel-led drafting committee blame the lack intensive discussions. 

The preliminary draft states that the NC should take the responsibility of implementing the new constitution. 

“If the party fails to take the leadership, there are dangers of misinterpreting the democratic provisions of constitution, which could push the country towards undemocratic direction,” the draft document states without elaborating. 

If the constitution is properly implemented, according to the document, there is potential of transforming the society on the basis of democratic socialism, and it could also be the basis for constructing an equitable society on the basis of social justice, the document states without offering any specifics. The NC is the largest party in Par-liament and is the main opposition party. 

 On the Madhes problem, the party has said that the demands of self-governance, self-respect and issues related to identity should be properly addressed. 

The document, however, is silent on the demands of Madhes-based parties. The document also pitches for addressing social and economic side of Madhes to bring stability in the southern belt. 

Construction of roads, railways, north-south link roads and river management should get utmost priority, according to the document.  

The party has also underlined the need for addressing the problems faced by farmers, while calling for formulating special plan to address the demands of Dalits to end all types of discrimination against them. 

Though the policy and programme touches upon the need to address the demands of Tharu and other ethnic communities, it lacks concrete proposal on ways to do it.

The document highlights the problems faced by people residing in hill and mountainous regions. 

Tuesday’s CWC meeting failed to take up the proposal on party’s statute amendment.

• Party should take lead to implement the newly adopted constitution 
• There are chances of misinterpretation of democratic constitution if NC does not take initiatives 
• Establishing sustainable peace in the society 
• The party’s organisation, culture and conduct would be based on inclusive principle 
• Special focus on social security 
• Economic development and prosperity 
• Special programme and policy will be brought to address problems faced by Dalit community 
• Women’s representation in the party will be ensured as per the constitutional provisions 
• The political problems of Madhes should be addressed, but there is a need of 
• formulating social and economic agenda 
• Special programmes are needed to address the problems of hill and mountain regions 
• Concerns of Tharu and Muslim communities should be addressed without any delay