Positive Message Spread in the Country Since Formation of Current Government: Deuba
Deuba also emphasised that the party must not rely on past glories but focus on development and the welfare of the people.
Kathmandu. Sher Bahadur Deuba, President of the Nepali Congress and former Prime Minister, has said that a positive message has been spread across the nation since the formation of the current government.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of a statue of the late leader BP Koirala in Dhulikhel today, Deuba remarked that despite ongoing political friction, the partnership between the two major parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, has sent a positive signal to the nation. "There were concerns about what would happen when two rival parties came together, but from what I've gathered, the message has been positive all across the country," Deuba said.
He urged Congress leaders and workers to work hard to make the party the leading force in the upcoming elections, while also addressing the needs of the people. "Power sharing alone is not enough; we all need to work together for the people," he emphasized. Deuba also stressed the importance of delivering results through the coalition.
In a light-hearted manner, Deuba addressed the common criticism that Congress is all talk and no action. He called for an increase in efforts and reminded his colleagues to strengthen their connection with the people. "We must work in a way that wins the hearts of the people, especially by focusing on development at the provincial, district, village, and local levels. We need to understand their difficulties and address their concerns," he said.
Deuba reiterated his desire to make Congress the number one party, adding, "To become the top party, we must commit ourselves to serving the people. I urge everyone to work towards this goal." He also acknowledged the challenge of achieving a majority under the current inclusive and proportional system but expressed optimism that hard work could lead to success.
Deuba also emphasised that the party must not rely on past glories but focus on development and the welfare of the people. He recalled the construction of the BP Highway initiated by Girija Prasad Koirala during his tenure as Prime Minister, with support from Japan, which has greatly improved connectivity to the east. "This is a source of great pride," he added.
In the same event, former General Secretary and BP Koirala’s son, Dr. Shashanka Koirala, encouraged the Congress members to not only revere BP but also to follow his ideals and footsteps. He said, "We must understand BP’s ideals and follow his path. Democracy has achieved many milestones, and it is our duty to protect them." He urged focus on education, health, and infrastructure development.
Former Minister and Congress leader Mohan Bahadur Basnet spoke about implementing BP Koirala’s socialist vision by ensuring that 10 percent of hospital beds are reserved for the poor, providing free treatment to those in need.
Congress Central Member Madhu Prasad Acharya echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of BP’s ideals in strengthening democracy. Central Member Ganesh Lama stated that, as per the party's General Assembly decision, the Congress would contest future elections independently. Other speakers including Bagmati Province General Secretary Kanchan Chandra Bade and Kavrepalanchok District President Tirtha Lama, also praised BP Koirala's contributions and legacy.