Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa launched a scathing critique of the current administration on Wednesday, accusing the government of democratic overreach, constitutional manipulation, and state-sponsored cruelty.
Speaking to reporters following a training session for his party’s lawmakers, Thapa outlined three fundamental objections to the government’s recent actions, while vowing that the Nepali Congress will mount a formidable opposition in parliament.
Thapa’s first grievance targeted the government’s legislative arrogance. He warned that holding a parliamentary majority does not place the government above the rule of law. Drawing a sharp parallel to the previous administration of KP Sharma Oli, Thapa stated, “I had publicly reminded KP Oli that having a two-thirds majority does not mean you can make any law you want. This illusion will sink you.” He urged the current leadership to recognize that the nature and application of laws matter far more than the mere ability to pass them.
The most urgent objection raised by the opposition leader centred on the Constitutional Council. Thapa accused the government of issuing ordinances with malicious intent to hijack constitutional appointments.
Pointing specifically to the upcoming Constitutional Council meeting aimed at appointing the Chief Justice, Thapa alleged that a ruling coalition party (Rastriya Swatantra Party) is attempting to install a pre-selected candidate. He condemned the procedural manipulations designed to allow a quorum of just three individuals—the Prime Minister, the Speaker, and the Law Minister—to force decisions through, calling the tactic “objectionable” and “deceitful.”
Thapa reserved his strongest language for the government’s recent forced evictions of landless squatters in the capital. He denounced the state’s actions as “barbaric and cruel,” specifically highlighting the demolition of a school and a monastery on the sacred day of Buddha Purnima.
“Police might be allowed to use force to remove a person sleeping on the footpath, but they are not allowed to strip them naked and make them run on the street,” Thapa said, referring to the recent ‘dozer terror’ sweeping through informal settlements. He emphasized that the state has a constitutional obligation to identify and provide alternative management for genuine landless citizens, rather than treating the poor, pregnant women, and disabled individuals like criminals.
Brushing off accusations of “vote bank politics,” Thapa asserted that defending the dignity and honor of citizens is the primary duty of the state. To address the immediate humanitarian crisis, the Nepali Congress has formed a relief committee under the coordination of General Secretary Pradip Paudel to assist displaced individuals currently housed in holding centres.
Despite the harsh criticism, Thapa clarified that the Nepali Congress is not engaging in blind opposition. He affirmed that his party will support the government’s diplomatic efforts—such as the stance on the Limpiyadhura-Lipulek territorial dispute—and any genuine moves toward good governance.
However, he promised that the Nepali Congress will not back down when fundamental democratic principles are threatened. “After the 2022 general election, against a forceful two-thirds government, a small Congress fulfilled its duty as the opposition,” Thapa reminded reporters. “We will fiercely fulfill our duty in this parliament now as well.”