Nepali Congress Leader Jitjung Basnet Calls for National Convention

Nepali Congress leader Jitjung Basnet has stated that party unity cannot be achieved by compromising one’s self-respect.

Speaking at an event organized by the BP Koirala Memorial Foundation to commemorate the 44th anniversary of BP Koirala’s passing, Basnet emphasized that if unity cannot be achieved, a national convention should be held.

‘Unity, unity, unity. Is unity achieved by bowing one’s head? By losing self-respect? Unity is for the sake of respect,’ Basnet said, ‘If we cannot achieve unity, should we just stay at home? We are political beings. We must move forward by holding a national convention in the coming days.’

Basnet also requested party leaders not to be divided. ‘I request you not to be divided. Let’s achieve unity, if not, let’s move forward,’ he said.

Basnet quoted a statement by Supreme Court Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, making it clear that they are not afraid of the ‘tiger’ (a reference to the ruling party). ‘Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla said that a tiger eats everyone. First, it ate us, you didn’t know. Now the tiger has eaten the judiciary, the bureaucracy, and has engulfed the entire country,’ Basnet said, ‘We must move forward with BP’s principles and ideology to fight this tiger. If we need to lead a street movement tomorrow, we will take the lead.’