Kathmandu: The Nepali Congress (NC) has decided to prioritize qualified and popular individuals with a clean image who are committed to the party, have not had previous opportunities, or have been deprived of such opportunities while selecting candidates for the upcoming National Assembly (NA) election.

During the NC Central Working Committee meeting held from December 28 to 30, the party also resolved to encourage common candidacies based on consensus among the ruling coalition parties for the NA election.

In a press conference held today to announce the meeting's decisions, Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, Chief of the NC Publicity Department, stated that the party called for a swift conclusion to the remaining tasks of the peace process, emphasizing that justice should be promptly delivered to conflict-affected individuals and families.

The NC CWC meeting also approved the revised date for the party's Mahasamiti meeting, scheduled for February 19-22, 2024, as decided in a previous meeting on December 15.

Ministers from the Nepali Congress in the current government briefed the meeting about their roles and achievements over the past year. The central committee members expressed satisfaction with the government's efforts in various areas such as development, construction, good governance, employment creation, and international rescue and relief operations. However, they emphasized the need for additional prompt actions to inspire public enthusiasm.

While acknowledging improvements in the country's economic, social, and political sectors, the NC called on the government to adopt effective policies, particularly in generating employment opportunities. The party stressed the importance of policies that ensure peace, law and order, and good governance.

The meeting expressed sorrow over the incident in Balkumari, Lalitpur, on December 29 and urged the government to form a high-level judicial investigation committee to uncover the truth and bring the culprits to justice. The NC also demanded that the government provide appropriate employment to at least one family member of those who died in the agitation movement and offer compensation to the affected families.

The NC raised concerns about movements organized by citizens victimized by cooperatives and called for the prompt implementation of the government-formed high-level mechanism's report to provide justice to affected depositors.

Additionally, the party called on the government to swiftly pass laws related to federalism implementation, including the Federal Civil Service Act, Federal Police Act, School Education Act, and others in the legislative process. The NC emphasized the need for coordinated policy and programs among the three tiers of government for earthquake-resistant reconstruction in the post-Jajarkot earthquake period.