Thapa resigns as NC President; CWC to discuss the matter on Friday

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Kumar Thapa has stepped down from his position following the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 House of Representatives elections.

Thapa tendered his resignation to Vice President Bishwo Prakash Sharma on Wednesday, according to Joint General Secretary Prakash Snehi Rasaili.

Rasaili told Himal Press over the phone on Thursday morning that the resignation would be discussed in the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting that begins on Friday.

“President Thapa has resigned. The matter will be discussed in tomorrow’s meeting,” Rasaili said.

The party has convened a Central Working Committee on Friday to discuss the party’s performance in the elections.

Thapa had been under mounting pressure to step down after the Nepali Congress secured only 38 seats in the recently concluded parliamentary elections—a sharp decline from the 88 seats it had won in the previous 2022 polls. The poor showing triggered internal criticism and raised questions over the party’s electoral strategy and leadership.

Elected party president through a Special General Convention just ahead of the elections, Thapa had entered the race with expectations of revitalizing the party and improving its electoral performance. However, the results fell far short of expectations.

Party sources say Thapa had earlier expressed willingness to resign, taking moral responsibility for the defeat, right after counting concluded. However, he had temporarily held back after other senior office-bearers urged him to stay on and lead the party through the immediate post-election phase.