Kathmandu: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has sharply criticized Prime Minister Balendra Shah over his controversial statement on Nepal’s border issues, describing the remarks as immature, politically irresponsible and against the national interest.

Addressing a gathering of provincial office-bearers and people's representatives organized by the Congress Central Policy, Research and Training Institute in Manigram, Rupandehi, Thapa also criticized lawmakers of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party who applauded the Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament.

Thapa argued that suggesting Nepal had encroached upon another country's territory amounted to a serious affront to national interests. He said voters should question lawmakers who supported the statement and hold them accountable for their actions in Parliament.
“The people did not elect representatives to endorse such remarks,” Thapa said, urging citizens to pressure their elected representatives to speak out against statements that could undermine Nepal’s national position on border issues.

He further stated that if the Prime Minister made the remarks without understanding their implications, it was concerning, and if he made them knowingly, it was even more serious. According to Thapa, the statement has created confusion among the public and weakened Nepal’s position on a sensitive national matter.

Calling for corrective action, Thapa urged Prime Minister Shah to return to Parliament, withdraw the statement and apologize to the people. He maintained that the opposition's responsibility is to compel the government to correct its mistakes and said the Nepali Congress would continue to fulfill that role.

Objection to House Rules Passage
Thapa also expressed strong dissatisfaction with the passage of the House of Representatives Rules, 2083, claiming the process represented a “black day” in Nepal’s parliamentary history.

He warned that the Nepali Congress could seek legal remedies if Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal and the ruling party fail to reconsider the matter. According to him, the opposition believes the rules were pushed through Parliament in a manner that undermined parliamentary norms and procedures.

Focus on Party Reforms and Candidate Selection
Speaking about internal party affairs, Thapa said the party's immediate focus is not on persuading leaders to become election candidates but on strengthening trust among party cadres.

He explained that the ongoing active membership renewal campaign aims to give active members a greater role in the candidate selection process. The party plans to use surveys and consultations to identify suitable candidates for future elections.

Thapa also announced that preparations are underway to complete the general conventions of all party-affiliated organizations by Chaitra and to introduce programs aimed at bringing supporters who are currently outside the party's formal structure into active participation within the organization.