KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that the Nepali Congress should work as a bridge to connect democracy and people with direct service and results. He said that despite the long political struggle and change in the country, all the political parties should now seriously review the issues of creating employment, stopping the migration of youths and improving the living standard of the people.

In his address to the inaugural session of the party’s 15th general convention here today, Thapa said the present political situation formed under the leadership of Rastriya Swatantra Party should be seen in terms of the past political journey.

“Why did we fight for 35 years? This is what happened in the peace process. In these 35 years, all the villages were empty. Why were there no jobs? Why did the youth migrate?” asked Thapa.

Stating that the country has faced political struggles and transitions for a long time, its results have not reached the daily life of the people adequately, he said that all political parties should find the reason for this. He said that along with political change, economic and social transformation should also be taken forward simultaneously.

“We all have to explore this issue together. We will brainstorm in the general convention on what to do to deliver the same thing, how to make the Congress,” Thapa said.

He said that the Congress should not only talk about democracy but also establish itself as a political force that gives results to the people. He said that the Congress should take the responsibility of bridging the gap between the democratic system and the expectations of the people.

“The Congress works as a bridge between democracy and delivery,” Thapa said, “The Congress works to connect the old and new generations. This is what it resolves.” ’

He said that if the Congress is weak or inactive, it can also affect the democratic system and trust among the people. He said that the Congress should move forward by connecting itself with the needs and expectations of the people.

“People should think about what will happen if the Nepali Congress is shut down today,” he said, “If the bridge collapses, the trust will collapse. The Congress should work for that trust.” ’

Thapa said that the Congress should move ahead with clarity on its political principles and values. He said that the party should stay away from the tendency to compromise with principles for immediate political gains.

“We are not a loafer, we are clear. We are ready to lose five elections if we stick to principles, but we should not compromise on principles,” he said.

Thapa also stressed on the need to respect the role of the private sector and industrialists for economic development and employment generation. Stating that an environment should be created for the industrialists to get respect, he said that production, investment and employment expansion should be linked with political priorities.

Thapa said that the importance of the election should not be ignored even if it comes and goes. He said that although the results of the election are important, there is a need for a political culture to work in the interest of the country and people in the long term rather than the immediate electoral gains.

Thapa said that the 15th general convention would be taken forward as an opportunity not only to change the leadership of the party but also to seriously deliberate on the party’s future political direction, policy and capacity to deliver results to the people.