Introduction to the Nepali Congress Manifesto
Nepal, Feb. 19 – The Nepali Congress introduced its election manifesto titled “Pratigya Patra” (a commitment charter), outlining a 10-point plan focused on good governance, economic growth, and the dignity of citizens. This document was unveiled at an event in Janakpur, with the slogan “Prosperous Nepal, Dignified Nepalis.” The party’s president, Gagan Thapa, emphasized that this manifesto serves as both a policy roadmap and an appeal to voters, particularly in Madhesh Province, which is crucial for the upcoming March 5 polls.
Key Themes and Objectives
The Pratigya Patra reflects the party’s vision for a transformed Congress and a transformed nation. It emphasizes building a governance system centered around citizens, ensuring their dignity and self-respect. The manifesto commits to ending all forms of discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, and region, aiming to create a society where every citizen can live with pride and confidence.
The party pledges to enforce the rule of law strictly, eliminate privileges based on political power, and ensure public services are free from irregularities and bureaucratic hurdles. As part of its governance reform agenda, the party aims to control corruption and reduce service delivery delays, with a long-term goal of enabling citizens to access government services from home.
Economic Development and Social Responsibility
On the economic front, the manifesto highlights the importance of strengthening the private sector, encouraging wealth creation, and fostering an investment-friendly environment. It also emphasizes job creation within Nepal to retain young people and prevent them from seeking opportunities abroad.
Agriculture is presented as a dignified and modern profession, with commitments to improving technology use, market access, and productivity. The plan aims to build a farmer-centered economy capable of feeding the population and promoting Nepal internationally. Tourism, energy development, and infrastructure expansion are identified as key drivers of national prosperity.
The party also pledges to expand the state’s responsibility in education and healthcare. It promises a system where no one becomes poor due to expensive medical treatment, introducing a reliable, high-quality health insurance program. In education, the focus is on accessible, high-quality learning that does not impose a financial burden on parents while producing competitive human resources.
Cultural and International Commitments
The document underscores the importance of embracing modernity while taking pride in Nepal’s indigenous languages, culture, and heritage. It commits to maintaining national dignity in international forums through a balanced foreign policy.
Madhesh Province carries significant electoral weight, with 32 first-past-the-post seats at stake and nearly 20 percent of the country’s population residing there. The proportional representation votes from Madhesh alone could substantially boost a party’s total number of seats in Parliament. As a result, almost all major parties have turned their focus on the province in the run-up to the election.
For the Congress, the emphasis on Madhesh appears particularly pronounced. Party president Thapa is contesting the House of Representatives election from Sarlahi-4, underscoring the importance the party attaches to the province. The decision to unveil the party’s manifesto in Janakpur, despite earlier indications it would be released at the party’s central office in Lalitpur, further signals that the province is being viewed as a crucial electoral base in the March 5 polls.
Emotional Appeal and Political Strategy
Addressing the gathering, Thapa sought to connect emotionally with voters, saying he had come to Madhesh not as an outsider but as a ‘son of Madhesh.’ In an effort to appeal to the local electorate, he said that although Madheshi blood might not run through his veins, “the dream of Madhesh lives in my heart.”
Thapa’s reference to Durganand Jha, a figure associated with Nepal’s democratic movement, was widely seen as an attempt to invoke the history of political struggle and democratic aspirations linked to Madhesh ahead of the election.
Party Leadership and Electoral Strategy
Although the party chose to unveil its manifesto under a new name, several senior leaders were notably absent from the event. However, Bimalendra Nidhi and Mahendra Yadav, two prominent figures who had previously rejected the party’s second special general convention held in January, were present at the Janakpur rally.
Both leaders are contesting the election from Dhanusha constituencies 3 and 4. Addressing the gathering, Nidhi and Yadav urged voters to hand the party a majority, calling for a government to be formed under Thapa’s leadership, who was elected party president by the special general convention.
Public Engagement and Future Plans
Addressing the party’s Pratiyaga Sabha, Nidhi warned that federalism is under threat. “This is not an ordinary election,” he said. “The constitution is at risk, democracy is at risk, and federalism is at risk. To protect these achievements, the Congress must win.”
The Congress has also announced that it will hold an open question-and-answer session to discuss the issues outlined in its election manifesto. To provide further clarity and engage directly with the public on its election pledges, the party is organizing an interaction titled “Our Pledges, Your Questions” on Thursday in Kathmandu. Thapa will respond to queries on the manifesto and the party’s broader vision. The party will unveil the full Pratiyga Patra, an elaboration of its vision-10 statement, on Thursday.
