Kathmandu. Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that there is an open space for the questions, dissent and opinions of the people from the parliament to the political parties. He said that the country needs an open forum as there is not enough openness in the parliament and the party.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 15th general convention of the Nepali Congress here today, Thapa said that Khula Manch has been opened after 10 years and it is not just a ground in Kathmandu. He recalled that Khula Manch has played an important role in the political movement of Nepal and many political parties and leaders have started their political journey from here.

“Khula Manch has been opened after 10 years. This is not just a ground in Kathmandu,” Thapa said, “Big parties have been formed from here and small parties have also come from here.” ’

Recalling that people’s protagonist BP Koirala, Ganeshman Singh and Girija Prasad Koirala had delivered speeches from the same Khula Manch, Thapa said the Khula Manch had provided an opportunity to bring different views and differences together for dialogue.

“Khula Manch helps to put differences together,” he said.

Thapa said that such open forums are necessary in different parts of the country. He said that for this, first of all, there is a need for openness in Singha Durbar and inside the parliament.

“Parliament is not open now. It will not remain open until the Prime Minister listens to the people,” he said.

Stating that those in power should listen to the people’s questions and talk to the people, Thapa said that the voice of the people should not be silenced in a democracy. He said that the parliament should be made more open and accountable as it is the place to represent the voice and questions of the people.

Thapa said that there is a need for open dialogue from the hills to the Terai, from the physical place to the electronic media. He was of the view that an environment should be created throughout the country where citizens can put forth their views and question the leadership.

Stressing the need of developing the same culture in the party as well, Thapa said that the situation of losing party membership while questioning the leaders should be ended.

“There is a need for an open forum within the party. If you question the leader, you should not lose your membership,” he said.

He said that the right to have different opinions, question the leadership and criticize should be institutionalized within the party. Thapa said that democracy should not be sought only outside and the internal structure and working style of the political party should also be democratic.

“The parliament is closed, the party is closed, so the country needs an open forum,” Thapa said.

He said that the holding of the Congress general convention at Khula Manch after 10 years was also a symbol of re-establishing open dialogue and relations among the people. He said that Khula Manch should be developed not only as a place for political meetings but also as an open place for questioning, dialogue, disagreement and exchange of ideas.