KATHMANDU: On Monday evening, Nepali Congress Vice-Presidents and General Secretaries held a virtual meeting with district presidents to discuss the party’s path forward after the Gen Z protests.

The central leadership sought feedback from the districts amid uncertainty over how the party should proceed.
According to Baitadi District Chatur Bahadur Chand, discussions covered various internal issues, including how to observe Constitution Day.

Taplejung District President Gajendra Tumyahang said district leaders questioned whether Constitution Day should be celebrated on September 19, and whether the current interim government had been formed constitutionally.

In response, the General Secretaries clarified that they had sought advice from President Ramchandra Paudel, who recommended Sushila Karki as Prime Minister, emphasizing that the current government is constitutionally valid and should be supported.

Tumyahang added, “The constitution is safeguarded by the President, so we should cooperate with a constitutionally formed government. But no concrete decisions emerged.”

Most district Presidents expressed that the party cannot continue in its current state.

They criticized the Congress–CPN-UML coalition government’s failure and the dominance of older leaders, linking these factors to the Gen Z uprising. Many urged immediate leaderships change and party transformation without wasting time.

“Several district Presidents clearly emphasized the need for leadership change and party reform,” Tumyahang said.
Baitadi’s Chand also argued that the party cannot run under the old system, pointing to the Gen Z protests as a message from youth demanding a revitalized Nepali Congress. “The party cannot continue with old practices. Youth must lead to build a new Congress,” Chand added.

Bhojpur District President Binod Bantawa raised questions about how leadership change could be implemented, while also cautioning that the process should not focus solely on attacks against current leaders.

Central leaders replied that they were seeking district input and urged caution due to the complex situation.

District Presidents also raised concerns over rumors and videos circulating on YouTube and Facebook claiming large sums of money were found at leaders’ homes. Chand said the circulation of these unverified reports had harmed party.

During the Gen-Z protests on September 9, several Nepali Congress leaders’ homes were set on fire, including party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Energy Minister Dipak Khadka, and leader Mohan Basnet.

Reports surfaced of large amounts of cash in both rupees and dollars being found and burned, with videos claiming money had been found from Minister Khadka’s residence.

“We questioned the source of so much money, how the party recorded it, and the authenticity of these claims,” Chand said.

Central officials told the meeting that they were unaware of verified details and could not provide official responses at this time.