Dr Bhandari Urges Party Leaders to Unite

Nepali Congress leader Dr Chandrabhandari has called on the party’s old and top leaders to come to the party office in Sanepa and discuss with the new generation.

Addressing a seminar on constitutional amendment suggestions organized by the Democratic Thought Society in Pokhara, he suggested that the party should be united.

‘My respected old leaders, you are here. I want to appeal, now the leaders should not wander around looking for a place to stay, but come to Sanepa and discuss with the young leaders,’ he said, ‘Only by combining your experience and the energy of the youth can the party and the country be led in the right direction.’

Recently, the leaders close to outgoing president Sher Bahadur Deuba have been holding separate meetings and discussions. The faction has opened a contact office in Chundevi.

Referring to this, Bhandari emphasized that the dissatisfaction should be resolved within the party’s institutional forum.

Leader Bhandari said that while amending the constitution, the achievements gained should not be lost. ‘If two or three things are removed, this constitution will die,’ he said, ‘One is federalism, one is republicanism, and another is proportional inclusion. These are the basic things that need to be protected.’

He suggested that not all subjects of the constitution should be touched at once.

Bhandari suggested that the provincial structure should be made less expensive and efficient rather than abolished, and the number of ministries and MPs should be reduced.

He pointed out the need to reform the electoral system while maintaining the principle of proportional inclusion.

‘We brought the proportional system, but its correct practice could not be done. Due to the tendency to choose only one’s own people and relatives, dissatisfaction has been created towards this system,’ he said, ‘Therefore, while amending the constitution, such weaknesses should be corrected and made fully democratic and people-friendly.’

Bhandari claimed that the Congress should prepare to win a majority in the upcoming elections and that stability and development in the country would be possible only after that.