Kathmandu: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe has emphasized the need to rekindle hope and trust among citizens through consensus, collaboration, and good governance. In his address to the first meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, he highlighted the frustration among the public due to political instability and weak governance, urging for visionary policy and a stable government to prevent such situations in the future.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Angdembe noted that despite challenges such as armed conflict, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic, progress has been made in infrastructure, electricity, communication, health, and financial sectors over the past 35 years. He argued that the pessimistic view that ‘nothing has happened’ is not based on reality.
Angdembe paid tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives in various democratic movements up to the recent Gen Z Uprising, stressing that all political forces must unite to prevent recurring violence in the country. He recalled various struggles, including the 1990 People’s Movement, the armed conflict, the 2006/07 People’s Movement, and the Madhes Movement, urging everyone to focus on realizing a single national goal despite differences in opinion.
He described the parliamentary democratic system as Nepal’s common path and noted that all political forces have recommitted to this system proposed by BP Koirala. Angdembe clarified that the Congress will perform the role of a responsible opposition.
He congratulated the Rastriya Swatanta Party on being elected as the largest party and the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, expressing wishes for a successful term. He urged the government to conduct a fair investigation into the last September 8-9 incidents and make public the actual damage that occurred at the Parliament House and Singha Durbar.
Angdembe demanded action against the guilty and protection for the innocent involved in the incidents. He mentioned that the opposition would maintain strong vigilance if the new government acted contrary to the constitution and public expectations. Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to President Ramchandra Paudel, former Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the Election Commission, security agencies, and journalists for their contribution to successfully conducting the election.