KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has stated that Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government holds a rare, historic opportunity to transform the nation, drawing parallels to BP Koirala’s sweeping mandate in 1959.

Speaking at an economic dialogue organized by the party, Thapa noted that the current administration—propelled into power by a massive popular movement that gave the Rastriya Swatantra Party a thumping majority—enjoys immense public backing.

Commenting on the new budget presented by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Thapa emphasized that opposition parties like Congress and UML are not wishing for the government’s failure, but rather want it to serve a full five-year term to successfully resolve structural economic issues and deliver on public expectations.