Comprehensive Discussion Within Congress on Fulfilling the Role of the Main Opposition

April 15, Kathmandu – The Nepali Congress has engaged in detailed discussions on how to effectively fulfill its role as the main opposition party. The Central Working Committee meeting, chaired by party president Gagan Kumar Thapa, deliberated on the role of the main opposition in Parliament and its relationship with the government.

“Nepali Congress firmly believes that the values of freedom, equality, respect, and coexistence, cultivated through numerous struggles and movements by the Nepali people from 1950 to 2025, can be further developed on the fertile grounds of democracy,” the party’s decision document states. “Respecting fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution such as democracy, republicanism, federalism, citizen supremacy, pluralism, separation of powers, independent judiciary, freedom of expression and press, rule of law, human rights, and linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity, the Nepali Congress is committed to exercising the role of main opposition in Parliament effectively, without compromising these values, and according to its policy commitments outlined in the election manifesto.”

Congress also affirmed its commitment to strengthening five pillars: good governance, transparency and accountability, freedom of expression, and a robust parliamentary culture. The party emphasized that it will not support any measures that undermine rule of law, civil rights, or democratic values and has urged the government to remain cautious to avoid such actions.

Full Congress Decision Is As Follows:

Contemporary Political Issues

1. Role of the Main Opposition in Parliament and Relationship with Government

• Congress holds a firm conviction that the freedoms, equality, dignity, and coexistence won through popular struggles from 1950 to 2025 can be nurtured further on the democratic foundation. By morally safeguarding the constitutional values of democracy, republicanism, federalism, citizen supremacy, pluralism, separation of powers, independent judiciary, freedom of expression and press, rule of law, human rights, and ethno-cultural-religious diversity, Nepali Congress will effectively exercise its role as the main opposition in Parliament.
• Congress is steadfastly committed to strengthening good governance, transparency, accountability, freedom of expression, and a strong parliamentary ethos. Believing that parliamentary democracy thrives on tolerance, dialogue, and respectful behavior, Congress will support legal governmental work and cooperate on issues of national interest, yet will not endorse any efforts undermining rule of law, civil rights, or democratic values, and will caution the government accordingly.

2. Protection of Freedom of Expression and Democracy

• Freedom of expression is an integral part of democracy. Nepali Congress recognizes that citizens must be able to freely express their views without fear. The Constitution guarantees freedom of thought and expression for every citizen, a significant achievement of democratic struggles. However, recent fear of cyber lynching has hampered citizens’ ability to express themselves openly, fostering self-censorship and shrinking freedom of expression. Congress commits to continuously advocating for an open society.
• The protests on September 8 and 9, 2025 (Bhadra 23-24) were not only for good governance and a corruption-free society but also to uphold freedom of expression. Congress expects the government to protect freedom of expression and open society values, but some recent measures fail to indicate this. Congress urges the government to uphold citizen freedoms and cautions against anti-citizenship measures.
• Equality is the core of the Constitution, freedom the foundation, and press freedom a fundamental right. Equal treatment between government and private media is essential to realize press freedom. Denying private media access to government advertisements violates constitutional rights. Congress appeals to the government to ensure fair and appropriate decisions.

3. Rule of Law and State Functioning

• The rule of law is the foundation of democracy. Laws apply equally to all, and no one is above the law. The state has the authority to conduct investigations following due legal process, and all citizens are obliged to cooperate.
• The state must follow procedural justice during investigations, as misuse of power and position is detrimental to democracy. All governmental actions must comply with the law.
• Issuing arrest warrants in criminal cases requires substantial evidence; however, recent actions appear hasty and unsubstantiated. Such trends risk unlawful detention and infringement on personal liberty. The government must ensure investigations are impartial and transparent.

4. Investigation of Assets

• Congress has long advocated for a commission to investigate the assets of high-ranking public officials since 1991, including nationalization of illicit assets and probing corruption cases from 1990 to 2025. Congress appreciates the government’s steps to advance this process and urges expanding the scope of investigations.
• The government’s cabinet-formed commission lacks autonomy and impartiality potential, raising concerns of executive interference. Congress calls on the government to ensure the commission’s independence.
• After disclosure of assets by the Prime Minister and ministers, questions about the sources and tax compliance have arisen. While asset declaration is a legal obligation, clarifying sources is also a moral responsibility, according to Congress.

5. Gauribahadur Karki Commission Report and Independent Inquiry Into Bhadra 23-24 Events

Congress considers it wrong not to publish the Gauribahadur Karki-led commission report and demands its immediate legal publication. It also urges rapid release of the Human Rights Commission report.

The report should not be the sole basis for action until it is officially and formally accepted. A committee led by senior advocate Yadunath Khanal has reviewed the report and provided recommendations.

Based on these recommendations, Congress decided the following:

• The commission’s primary mandate was factual investigation of September 8-9, 2025 incidents. However, the report included policy and prosecutorial recommendations and overstepped its jurisdiction into political and structural matters.
• It prioritized the September 8 incident while superficially addressing September 9, raising concerns about balance and insufficient investigation into seriously harmful events.
• The commission’s recommendations must undergo legal scrutiny before implementation. Treating the commission as a judicial body contradicts constitutional and judicial principles.
• The government’s selective approach is inappropriate; applying different measures for similar incidents on the same day can lead to non-legal actions.
• Hence, Congress concludes that the Gauribahadur Karki commission’s report is incomplete, biased, and selective. Inadequate investigation denies victims justice. Therefore, an independent and high-level judicial commission must be formed for the September 9 events, and a special parliamentary oversight committee established.

6. On Reducing Petroleum Price Hikes

The crisis in the Middle East has impacted the daily life, business, employment, and economy of Nepali citizens. Price increases in petroleum products and gas have exacerbated difficulties in agriculture, tourism, and transportation sectors.

Congress appeals to the government to take the following measures to reduce petroleum prices:

1. Provide relief or refunds on value-added tax increases that have inflated prices. Temporarily reduce taxes to protect citizens from high costs.

2. Partially reduce or exempt various taxes, such as removing infrastructure development tax and lowering others.

3. Clarify VAT refunds or exemptions as Nepal Oil Corporation is forced to purchase fuel at higher prices due to import taxes.

4. Review and reduce overall tax rates in light of current price rises and offer special support for students’ transportation expenses.

7. Regarding Affiliated Organizations

A study on the current status of affiliated organizations and expatriate liaison committees was conducted, and recommendations submitted.

8. On Active Membership

According to Congress’s 2017 constitution, various decisions have been made regarding updating active membership. Processes for new membership issuance and renewal will proceed.

a) Renew active membership for the 14th general convention members.

b) Issue membership to new aspirants according to constitutional provisions.

                                                                                                     Devaraj Chalise

                                                                                                        Spokesperson