NC will now be in the role of constructive opposition: Thapa

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leaders have stated that the party will now assume the role of a constructive opposition.

Speaking to Himal Press after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal formed a new coalition between CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN-UML, NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa said NC will now focus all its efforts on strengthening the party organization.

In the meeting of the office-bearers on Monday, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba had informed leaders that Dahal had opened their eyes by showing betrayal. “We would have been in a difficult situation had he betrayed us during the election,” Deuba remarked during the meeting.

NC has scheduled its central work performance meeting for 3 pm on Tuesday to hold discussions on relevant political issues.

“The work performance meeting will discuss the party’s future strategies,” Thapa stated.

NC has nine ministers, including a deputy prime minister, in the cabinet. They will now be automatically relieved of their positions.

NC is represented in Dahal’s cabinet by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Purna Bahadur Khadka, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dhanraj Gurung, Minister for Finance Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud, Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ramesh Rijal, Minister for Urban Development Sita Gurung, Minister for Youth and Sports Dig Bahadur Limbu, and Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Surendra Raj Acharya.