KATHMANDU: Party office bearers, former office bearers, and Central Committee members, I heartily welcome all colleagues to this meeting. In this critical situation for the country, we are holding a meeting today at our Central Office, the BP Smriti Bhawan in Sanepa, which has been reduced to ashes and remains as rubble after vandalism, looting, and arson. This has certainly left us all stunned. First of all, I express my deepest condolences to all those who lost their lives in the incidents of September 8 and 9. In this hour of grief, I express my profound sympathy to the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery to all those who were injured in the incidents.

On September 8, infiltration occurred during the peaceful protest by Gen Z, and the demonstration took a different turn, resulting in the loss of innocent young lives. This incident has profoundly distressed me and all of us. Starting the morning of September 9, there were attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson at places like the President’s Office, Singha Durbar, Parliament House, Supreme Court, various ministries, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority building, subordinate courts, Land Revenue Offices, provincial government offices, police stations, local level buildings, ward offices—administrative, physical, and historical structures that provide essential daily services and security to the public—as well as various political party offices, private homes and residences of leaders, media houses, and commercial and business establishments.

This resulted in unimaginable loss of life and property. This day will probably be recorded as a frightening day in the history of Nepal. Our party’s Central Office, along with 48 district offices and the private homes and residences of approximately 125 party colleagues, were attacked, vandalized, looted, and subjected to arson. I am even more distressed by the incident where the historic Koirala Residence in Biratnagar—a place of the democratic revolution, struggle, and movement in Nepal—along with the Ganesh Man Singh Residence in Chaksibari, Kathmandu, and the Ashram of the saintly leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai in Bandegaun, Lalitpur, were also burnt to ashes.

Furthermore, security personnel responsible for protecting citizens’ lives and property were humiliated, their weapons were looted, and citizens’ private property was vandalized, looted, and set on fire. I demand a truthful investigation into the incidents of both days and that those responsible be brought under the purview of legal action.

I sincerely thank the Rt. Honorable President Ramchandra Paudel through this meeting for playing a significant role during the difficult situation on September 9. His mature role during that adverse time prevented another potential crisis in the country.

I believe that the legitimate demands of Gen Z for good governance, a corruption-free environment, and guaranteed freedom of expression must be addressed. Their concern and worry for the nation must be addressed. This issue will also be discussed in this meeting.

Security personnel responsible for protecting citizens’ lives and property were humiliated, their weapons were looted, and citizens’ private property was vandalized, looted, and set on fire. I demand a truthful investigation into the incidents of both days and that those responsible be brought under the purview of legal action.

However, facts emerging after the incident have begun to confirm that this unimaginable, inhumane, and tragic event was not spontaneous or accidental but was rather premeditated and planned. Further study and investigation into this must be carried out as soon as possible. This investigation must move forward by focusing on the ultimate welfare of the nation rather than anyone’s immediate profit or loss.

The morale of all important organs of the state is low. In this situation, we must work to keep the morale of all organs and bodies high, and we must call on the judiciary, security agencies, and all other bodies to work with high morale.

Colleagues, for the past 80 years, the Nepali Congress has remained Nepal’s most reliable, the center of faith for the Nepali people, and the largest and pivotal party. The Nepali Congress has never compromised with anyone on the nation’s nationality and democracy. The characteristic of the Nepali Congress to correctly identify the adverse circumstances arising in the country in any period and lead the nation from complexity to ease has always established our party as the party beloved by the people. Be it the struggle for the attainment of democracy or the movements for political, economic, social, and cultural transformation in the country, the Nepali Congress has set the right national agenda and led the country to its proper destination.

As we hold this Central Working Committee meeting, I feel that the eyes of Nepalis spread across the country and the world, as well as the world’s attention, are drawn to this meeting. Therefore, it is necessary for us to analyze contemporary politics correctly and make a decision that provides the country with a proper resolution. Through this meeting, we must reaffirm the credibility that the Nepali Congress has earned in its history. In the current situation, we need to provide proper guidance mainly on matters concerning our own party and the role we must play in national politics.

Colleagues, the unity of the Nepali Congress is the need of the hour. In the present state of crisis in the country, all existing individual or group differences, conflicts, and disagreements among us must be set aside, and we must unite, with the country as our witness. At this moment, all matters of individual or group likes/dislikes, interests/disinterests, or gains/losses are secondary. I want to urge all colleagues—let’s discuss the issues widely, arrive at a decision with consensus, and implement the decision concretely.

Colleagues, issues regarding the internal life of the party, the upcoming 15th General Convention, and leadership transfer have been raised. I want to urge my colleagues that “a house never has the same head always,” and similarly, a party never has the same president always. As far as I am concerned, I have already said that I will formally hand over the party leadership at the 15th General Convention, as mandated by our constitutional arrangement and my political will. Without a doubt, a colleague other than me will become the president at the upcoming 15th General Convention.

The characteristic of the Nepali Congress to correctly identify the adverse circumstances arising in the country in any period and lead the nation from complexity to ease has always established our party as the party beloved by the people.

In the current critical situation of the country, it is necessary for the Nepali Congress to become united and well-organized while also engaging in dialogue and cooperation with other political parties that believe in the democratic system. The Constitution of Nepal, drafted by the Nepali people through the Constituent Assembly, is at risk.

The House of Representatives, the supreme institution elected by the people, has been dissolved in an unconstitutional and undemocratic manner. The government has set the date for the House of Representatives election for March 5, 2026. However, an environment for a free, fair, and fear-free election has not been established. Guarantee of peace and security, which is a precondition for elections, is absent.

The security agencies are demoralized and powerless. Therefore, it is the government’s responsibility to normalize the security situation for the election and ensure that the election can be conducted in a peaceful, fair, and fear-free environment, creating a situation where everyone can spontaneously participate in the election. May the government pay attention to this. If the government can create the environment for the election, we believe that the election will be the basis for returning the country to the constitutional path.

The government has not created an atmosphere for meaningful dialogue with political parties, which are considered the carriers of the multi-party democratic system. In this situation, it is necessary for the Congress to discuss future plans by engaging in dialogue with other political parties. Embracing the past history where the Nepali Congress has provided a solution when the country faced a crisis, let us move toward uniting all political parties.

Colleagues, as you know, I am a person who has struggled lifelong for the nation’s nationality, democracy, and the rule of law since my youth. When I plunged into politics for democracy, the situation was not as simple and easy as it is now. I am a person who has endured much hardship, suffering, and imprisonment. I did not enter politics with the goal of becoming an MP, Minister, Prime Minister, or President of the Nepali Congress.

The government has set the date for the House of Representatives election for March 5, 2026. However, an environment for a free, fair, and fear-free election has not been established. Guarantee of peace and security, which is a precondition for elections, is absent.

My sole objective in thought, word, and deed was the nation, nationality, and democracy. Due to the establishment of democracy in the country, I have received various state positions through the affection and support of my colleagues. I have experienced many ups and downs in politics. Whenever the country faced a crisis, I have always stood firmly on the side of the country and the people, and I will remain dedicated to the country and the people for the rest of my life. I have always received immense love, affection, and support from my colleagues. I also have the same level of affection and support for my colleagues.

I always tried to make the Nepali Congress a party with Nepali originality, representing all castes, regions, genders, and communities. Whether it was through implementing the policy of ‘Kadama Jam’ (step by step) within the party or running a campaign to make the party structures from the center to the wards maximally inclusive by introducing a reservation system. I also want to take pride in this work.

I had the opportunity to serve as Prime Minister five times, albeit for short periods. The total time of five premierships was approximately equal to one full term. Furthermore, I mostly led caretaker governments for elections. Nevertheless, you are aware that I did groundwork in improving certain sectors. I feel proud to have initiated certain social transformation works, such as the liberation of Kamaiya (bonded laborers), declaring Nepal untouchability-free, which were social evils.

When I was Prime Minister, I issued the Corruption Prevention Act, 2002, for the prevention of corruption in Nepal. I ended dual ownership of land in Nepal and implemented scientific land reform. It is on this foundation that land ceiling is now enforced, and dual ownership has been terminated. To establish women’s ownership of property, I amended the Civil Code for the 11th time, establishing equal rights for women and men over ancestral property. I initiated structural reform by forming commissions for the upliftment of the Dalit, women, Janajati, and other communities.

The work of making the tax system scientific and modern by implementing Value Added Tax (VAT), which was a stumbling block to the country’s economic transformation, was also started during my premiership. While working as Prime Minister and Party President, there may have been some shortcomings, but I always tried to work by keeping the Nepali people and the party at the center. The decisions of the Central Working Committee have all been unanimous. Even the responsibilities assumed while in government were done through consultation. I have tried to involve all colleagues in the party’s decision-making process as much as possible.

To establish women’s ownership of property, I amended the Civil Code for the 11th time, establishing equal rights for women and men over ancestral property. I initiated structural reform by forming commissions for the upliftment of the Dalit, women, Janajati, and other communities.

On September 9, when the entire country was burning, a life-threatening, violent attack was made on me and my family. They vandalized, looted, and committed arson at the house, and we were rescued after hours of tireless effort by the security personnel. You are aware of the tragic physical attack my family and I had to face. Not satisfied with that, false propaganda was systematically spread to damage our reputation and image. Due to your love, prayers, and wishes, I have been able to attend and run this meeting after my treatment.

Recalling the various difficult moments I faced in my political journey, it is my belief that such situations can arise anytime when taking an ideological stand for the nation, the people, and the political system; one must only have the courage to face them. Although this sequence of events appears on the surface to be a personal attack on me and countless colleagues from our and other political parties, my firm belief is that, overall, it is an attack on the country, the political system, and the party. From this meeting, I heartily thank and will always remember the security personnel and well-wishers at the scene who rescued us from the attackers’ grasp.

It is my belief that this party meeting will make the necessary decisions by conducting a concrete analysis of the contemporary situation and providing a proper solution for the country. The Nepali Congress must unite itself to face the challenges present before the country. Unity must be maintained within the party at this moment when the nation, democracy, and the democratic system of governance are in serious crisis. Keeping this in mind, the Central Committee will seriously discuss and make the necessary decision to complete the 15th General Convention on the scheduled time according to our party’s statute.

To evaluate the existing political situation in the country and find a solution, dialogue and discussion with other political parties are necessary. Due to my health condition, I have designated Party Vice-President Purna Bahadur Khadka to work as the Acting President. I am confident that he will work for the broader interest of the party.

Jai Nepal!

(Unofficial Translation of the Address Delivered by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Central Working Committee Meeting, October 14, 2025)