KATHMANDU: Central Committee member Pratima Gautam has emphasized that the Nepali Congress must hold its general convention before entering parliamentary elections, warning that ignoring both the public discontent revealed by the Gen Z movement and internal calls for a special convention could risk losing not only power but also public trust in the party.

Speaking at a Central Committee meeting, Gautam noted that around 55% of convention delegates (2,488 members) have signed in favor of a special convention, highlighting serious political unrest and a desire for new political direction within the party.

Gautam made it clear that the convention should be completed within December 2025 to secure a fresh mandate ahead of elections.

If that is not feasible, she suggested holding it in January 2026 as proposed by the General Secretary. She stressed that the party must choose either a special or regular convention before contesting elections, cautioning that skipping this step would weaken organizational leadership and destabilize the party.

She also presented a four-point reform proposal for the party: forming a high-level commission to investigate the assets of all leaders who have held office since 1990, adopting a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, providing clear policies and opportunities for youth leadership, and institutionalizing democratic practices to restore public trust.

Gautam concluded that following this path is essential to revive the idea that Nepali Congress is a party for all Nepalis.