Gagan Thapa slams PM remarks, calls it national disgrace

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has said that Prime Minister Balen Shah’s remarks in Parliament suggesting that Nepal had encroached on Indian territory are a matter of “national disgrace.”

Addressing a provincial-level “Jara Abhiyan” program of the Nepali Congress in Rupandehi on Monday, Thapa said the Prime Minister’s statement had hurt national integrity and demanded that he apologize directly from the parliamentary rostrum.

“The Prime Minister’s statement has embarrassed both the public and those who elected him. The Nepali Congress strongly condemns such unethical and undemocratic remarks,” Thapa said, adding that the Prime Minister should admit his mistake and apologize, after which the party would not obstruct parliamentary proceedings.

He further said that if the Prime Minister spoke out of ignorance, it was concerning, but if it was intentional, it was “dangerous.” Thapa emphasized that no one is above the constitution, law, or the nation.

Criticizing recent parliamentary developments, Thapa also described the government’s forceful passage of procedural rules as a “black day” in parliamentary history, alleging misuse of parliamentary power.

He added that although the ruling side may have passed the decision forcefully, the issue was not over and democratic resistance would continue.

Separately, Thapa said the Nepali Congress has moved into a “new track” of internal reform, stressing the need to remove weaknesses within the party to regain the trust of disillusioned voters.