Gagan Thapa elected Congress president, pledges zero tolerance on corruption and bringing back those who left

Gagan Kumar Thapa has been elected president of the Nepali Congress at the party's 15th General Convention.

According to election committee coordinator Prem Bahadur Khadka, in the vote count completed on Saturday morning, Thapa received nearly 6,600 votes, about 94 percent of the votes cast. His rival Shyam Krishna Khadgi received close to 400 votes, the committee said.

Speaking at the party's central office in Sanepa, President Thapa said the party would adopt zero tolerance toward corruption and irregularities, adding that no one would be exempt from accountability simply for being affiliated with the party.

He also said an environment would be created to bring back leaders, cadres and well-wishers who had left the party out of dissatisfaction. He said the first meeting of the central committee would prepare a plan of action incorporating the views raised at the convention.

Bishwa Prakash Sharma, who was elected senior vice-president unopposed, congratulated Thapa. Vote counting for other positions is still underway.