KATHMANDU, June 30: Senior Nepali Congress (NC) leader Bikram Khanal has raised serious concerns about the current direction of the party, stating that it is straying from its core democratic values.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Nawalparasi, Khanal criticized what he described as the erosion of ideological clarity, organizational discipline, and respect for committed party cadres.
Khanal, who has served as a Constituent Assembly member, reflected on his four-decade-long political career, emphasizing his continued commitment to public service, constitutional values, and grassroots democracy.
Exercises to strengthen your core
However, he voiced disappointment over what he sees as growing internal problems within the party. He alleged that the NC is being weakened by unchecked factionalism, personal interest, and the influence of wealth and connections.
“The party once stood for sacrifice and dedication, but these values are being overshadowed by favoritism and power politics,” he said.
He claimed that internal decisions of the party are increasingly influenced by individuals driven by personal or financial motives, rather than by commitment to democratic principles or party ideology. Khanal pointed to a recent electoral loss in Nawalparasi-2, attributing the defeat to internal divisions and lack of unity among senior leadership.
He also addressed recent rumors and what he called a targeted misinformation campaign against him, describing them as baseless.
While acknowledging that internal competition is natural in a democratic party, Khanal stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and unity. He called on party leaders to take action against what he termed as “anarchic” tendencies within the organization and to prioritize honest and capable individuals for leadership roles.
“Despite challenges, I remain committed to working within the party to ensure that it stays true to its founding values,” Khanal said, concluding with a call for party unity and a renewed focus on serving the public.
