The parliament and the party are closed, so the country needs an open forum: Gagan Thapa
Kathmandu. Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that there is a need for an open space for the people’s questions, dissent and ideas 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 the Khula Manch has been opened after 10 years. He recalled that the Khula Manch had played an important role in the Nepali political movement and many political parties and leaders had started their political journey from here.
‘Khula Manch has opened after 10 years. This is not just the ground of Kathmandu,” Thapa said, “Big parties have been formed from here, and small parties have also come from here.” Recalling that Jananayak BP Koirala, Ganeshman Singh and Girija Prasad Koirala had also delivered speeches from the same Khula Manch, Thapa said that the Khula Manch has 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 now necessary in different parts of the country. For this, first of all, there is a need for openness in Singha Durbar and inside the parliament, he said.
‘Parliament is not open right now. The people will not be open until the Prime Minister listens to the people’s voice,” he said.
Thapa said those in power should listen to the people’s questions and hold dialogue with the people. 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 and from the physical place to the electronic media. He was of the view that an environment should be created across the country where citizens can express their views and question the leadership.
Stressing the need to develop the same culture within the party as well, Thapa said that the situation of losing party membership while questioning the leaders should end.
There is a need for an open forum within the party as well. If you question the leader, the membership should not be removed,” 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 political parties should also be democratic.
“The parliament is closed, the party is closed, so the country needs an open forum,” Thapa said.
He said that holding the general convention of the Nepali Congress at Khula Manch after 10 years was also a symbol of re-establishing open dialogue and people-to-people relations. He said that the Khula Manch should be developed not only as a place for political assembly but also as an open forum for questioning, dialogue, disagreement and exchange of ideas.
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