KATHMANDU: Coordinator of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has taken the party forward towards a new history by breaking the order of continuity in the leadership of the party. He said that Thapa has now broken the order of the party that he used to do earlier.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 15th General Convention of the Nepali Congress, Prachanda congratulated Gagan Thapa and said that he has already seen his leadership ability. He recalled that Thapa was the Health Minister when he was the Prime Minister and said that he was happy with Thapa’s political journey.

“Congratulations to Gaganji. Gaganji has the ability to lead. I had said that eventually there will be a situation to lead this country. That is what I am seeing today,” Prachanda said.

He said that Thapa’s coming to the leadership of the Congress in the midst of the difficult political situation was a ‘breakdown’ in itself. “This is a breakdown. You have come to the leadership of the party by breaking the continuity,” he said.

Prachanda urged Thapa to move ahead by connecting the leaders and groups that are still left out in the party. He said that the new leadership of the NC should try to include all, saying that the party should be further united.

Prachanda said that Thapa should no longer be limited to the leadership of the party but should move forward on the path of leading the country. He said that he will have his support and cooperation for this. “Now you should walk on the path of leading the country, we are ready to support you,” Prachanda said.

He said that the political parties should be aware that the republic and democracy in the country could also be at risk. He said that cooperation among the major political forces is necessary to institutionalize the democratic republic.

Stating that some works of the peace agreement are yet to be completed, Prachanda said that they should be concluded on time. He said that if the remaining issues of the peace process were not resolved, there was a risk that the country could go towards conflict again.

“Some things of the peace agreement are yet to be finalized. If this is not finalized, the country may go into another conflict. This has to be completed by Gagan Thapa,” he said.

Stating that all political forces should move ahead together for the country’s prosperity and development, Prachanda expressed the belief that the new leadership would take the country towards the path of prosperity. “I believe that all will work together to develop a prosperous Nepal,” he said.