Congress will fix province, district convention dates based on local polls: Thapa

Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has said the dates for the party's province and district conventions will be fixed keeping the upcoming local-level election in mind.

Speaking at a program in Pokhara, he said the dates would be decided after discussion at a Central Committee meeting.

The 15th General Convention, held from Asoj 18 to 23, elected 131 members, while the president still has to nominate 66 more. The Central Working Committee will have 297 members in total. The remaining office-bearers and central members are set to take their oath of office at the central office in Sanepa on Kartik 12.

According to President Thapa, the party is amending its statute so that this time local-level candidates will be chosen by party members in the respective constituencies rather than by the centre. He said central members would not be allowed to stay in Kathmandu and would be sent down to the grassroots.

Thapa has proposed running a campaign throughout the month of Mangsir to reach out to old supporters who voted for other parties in the last election. He also said a directive had been issued to stop the practice of lining up at the airport with garlands and khada scarves whenever a leader arrives. He noted that the post of president, given to him for four years, is merely a responsibility.