Pokhara, 19 February | Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has strongly committed to fundamentally changing the country’s political culture and development approach while launching a renewed connection with Madhesh province. Speaking with deep emotion he declared that Congress will no longer merely print manifestos but will ensure every single word and letter is implemented in letter and spirit whether the party is in government or in opposition. Thapa emphasized that he personally crafted the party’s pledge document after careful deliberation with his team in Kathmandu rather than simply reading someone else’s speech adding that this promise binds all Congress leaders and workers alike regardless of their position in power.
He described his visit to Madhesh not as an attempt to become its leader but as returning as a son saying “I have come here to be a son of Madhesh.” Although his veins may not carry Madheshi blood Thapa asserted that his heart carries the courage of Durga Nanda Jha and his eyes hold the dreams of Mahendra Narayan Nidhi. He promised that under Congress governance Madheshi citizens will no longer need to hide their traditional dhoti-kurta attire inside Singha Durbar and will proudly declare “We are Madheshi” with full dignity and respect. Drawing inspiration from King Janak’s vow during Sita’s swayamvar and Lord Ram’s victory after lifting the bow Thapa framed Congress’s future journey as one rooted in unbreakable promises rather than mere power struggles insisting that what he speaks today is a solemn pledge from which the party will never retreat even an inch.
Thapa expressed serious concern over the declining educational standards in Madhesh once a destination where people from hills came to learn mathematics and science but now struggling with weak schools. He outlined special plans to strengthen mathematics and science education and transform the region back into a genuine centre of knowledge. On the health front he guaranteed a system where citizens pay nothing out-of-pocket for treatment ending the painful reality of overseas workers’ hard-earned money from Qatar being spent entirely on family medical emergencies. Addressing farmers’ hardships particularly sugarcane and potato growers he announced this decade as the “decade of farmers” with concrete steps to make the nation self-reliant in agricultural production instead of importing goods worth four trillion rupees annually.
For youths in foreign employment Thapa pledged embassy-level special care and an environment where returnees can become business owners rather than job seekers. Acknowledging that Congress alone cannot transform the nation he introduced the concept of “Team Nepal” a collective force that fights not against other parties but against misgovernance poverty and unemployment. He instructed the party’s 32 candidates to go door-to-door fearlessly spreading the message of a changed Congress listening to voters’ concerns and clearly explaining the party’s commitments. Thapa urged them to tell people boldly “We have come to do these works give us your vote and spread the word.” His address blended emotional appeal historical references and practical promises aiming to rebuild trust in Madhesh and position Congress as a reliable force for inclusive national progress.
