Newly elected Congress general secretary vows to unite party, defeated leaders continue campaign

Pradip Paudel, elected general secretary at the Nepali Congress's 15th General Convention, has pledged to forget old bitterness and unite the party emotionally.

Calling internal competition a democratic practice, he said the convention's vote has sent a message for all leaders and cadres to move forward together. Paudel believes internal unity is essential to face the many challenges confronting the party.

Uday Shamsher Rana and Dila Sangraula Pant were also elected general secretary alongside Paudel. Sangraula said her main responsibilities would be to increase women's participation, prepare for local-level elections, and unite a scattered Congress party.

Nain Singh Mahar, who was also a candidate for general secretary, congratulated the newly elected office-bearers and said his campaign to change the party was not confined to any single post. He believes changing political culture requires improvements in the leadership's thinking, conduct and working style.

Dr Sunil Kumar Sharma, who placed third for general secretary, said winning and losing is natural in politics and that he would continue serving the public even without holding a post.

Govind Bhattarai, former Nepal Students' Union president who lost despite receiving the third-highest votes for open vice-president, said he still needs to win the trust of many more colleagues and would devote his remaining political time to that.