KATHMANDU, Nov 23: The Nepali Congress (NC) ahas decided to participate in the House of Representatives election scheduled for February 21. The meeting held on Saturday at the party’s central office in Sanepa decided to register the party with the Election Commission.
At the same time, recalling its October 19 executive committee decision, the party noted that the issue of the House of Representatives dissolution is still under consideration at the Supreme Court, and expressed confidence that the Court will give the final interpretation.
The statement issued by the party’s chief secretary after the meeting said, “With an interim government already formed, the House dissolved and the election date announced, the matter is both political and constitutional. Since the case is under consideration at the Supreme Court, the Nepali Congress believes the final interpretation will come from the Court.”
The executive committee meeting held on October 19 had said, “The move to dissolve Parliament goes against the spirit of the Constitution and the Court’s earlier interpretations. The dissolution is unconstitutional and puts democratic gains at risk. The Nepali Congress firmly believes that the solution lies within the Constitution.”
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Endorsing the decisions made on September 12 and October 19, the meeting decided to register the party for the National Assembly election on January 25 and the House of Representatives election on February 21. The party also assigned the responsibility for the registration process to the chief secretary of the central office.
The NC believes that with the election date already announced, elections are the appropriate way out of the current political situation. “Through elections, the Constitution can be protected, and the calls for change raised during the Gen Z protests can be given institutional shape, allowing the country to move forward,” the party said.
The Congress underlined the need for a fear-free environment for elections and expressed concern over the state of security. It pointed to thousands of inmates still at large, large quantities of missing weapons, political parties unable to conduct programs freely, and the lack of minimum conditions needed for elections. It urged the government to improve security, boost the morale of security personnel and ensure a safe environment for citizens.
Referring to the chaos that followed the unexpected destruction on September 10, the Congress said the country needed an immediate way out of the crisis and that the President had been compelled to appoint an interim prime minister from outside Parliament to address the demands of protesting Gen Z groups and maintain security. The Congress, however, clarified that a solution could have been found from within Parliament as well.
The party expressed worry over recent developments and urged all political parties and groups not to engage in provocative or disruptive acts that undermine peace and order. “In this sensitive situation, no one should incite violence, disrupt harmony, or spread hate in any form,” it said.
The Congress said banning individuals out of impulse is not acceptable in a democratic system and cautioned against restricting peaceful protest or freedom of expression. It warned that actions that go against the basic values of the Constitution could deepen division and fuel unrest.
It said the moment calls for restraint, trust and dialogue, not provocation or a politics of rejection. It urged everyone to seek solutions through discussion rather than escalation.
The Congress said a broad national dialogue is necessary to address the demands raised by Gen Z protesters. It described issues such as ending corruption and ensuring good governance and the right to information as legitimate concerns of ordinary citizens. The party said it has always taken such demands positively and will continue to do so.
Welcoming the remarks made by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba at the central committee meeting on October 14, the Congress wished good health to Deuba and his spouse. It also expressed sorrow over the tragic events of September 8 during the protests and called for proper compensation for the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.
The meeting recalled the massive loss of life and property caused by the attacks, vandalism, looting and arson on September 10. The party condemned the assaults on the President’s Office, Singha Durbar, the Parliament building, the Supreme Court, various administrative structures, the Congress central office, offices in 48 districts, and the violent attacks on party president Deuba and central member Dr Arzu Rana Deuba.
It said attacks on over 125 homes of leaders, offices of various political parties, individual houses, industrial and business establishments and private property were political, criminal and destructive. The Congress demanded a fair and thorough investigation into all incidents of September 10 and called for legal action and proper compensation for victims.
Stating that the country is in a serious political crisis, the Congress called on everyone to remain calm and united. The party, which has remained stuck on deciding the date for its 15th general convention, again failed to reach a decision on Saturday. It postponed the meeting to November 27 at 2 pm.
