The Nepali Congress’s 15th General Convention began its closed session and election program today, Monday, October 5, 2026, following a notable exchange between party President Gagan Thapa and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane that underscored Nepal’s evolving political dynamics.
The convention, which commenced yesterday, Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Khulamanch in Kathmandu, saw Lamichhane, a leader of a newer political force, directly challenging the legacy of the Nepali Congress, the country’s oldest democratic party. Addressing the gathering, Lamichhane remarked, “You have become party president at the age of 50. If you had taken the inspiration to become president at 40, I might have become a Nepali Congress member too.” He further asserted that the Nepali Congress’s strength and weakness both lie in its history, acknowledging its role in democratic struggles but also its failures and compromises over years in power.
Lamichhane, whose Rastriya Swatantra Party was established on June 21, 2022, and registered on July 1, 2022, also provocatively suggested that some attendees at the Congress convention might have voted for the RSP’s election symbol, the bell, signaling that no party owns its voters. The RSP demonstrated significant electoral strength in the House of Representatives election on March 5, 2026, securing 182 seats.
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa, who was elected uncontested on January 16, 2026, responded to Lamichhane’s remarks by reminding him that the Congress had also contributed many individuals, including office-bearers and lawmakers, to the RSP, effectively “training” them. This exchange, while a clever retort, highlighted the underlying insecurities within both political projects.
Shifting Political Landscape
The interaction between Thapa and Lamichhane symbolizes a broader transition in Nepali politics, where traditional parties are grappling with the rise of new forces. Prime Minister Balen Shah, who became Nepal’s 43rd Prime Minister on March 27, 2026, at the age of 36, leads an RSP-backed government. Shah, whose permanent address is in Ekdara, Mahottari, in Madhesh Province, gained popularity as the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City before entering central politics as a senior RSP leader.
Despite its significant political legacy, the Nepali Congress has lost electoral ground. Gagan Thapa himself, a three-time House of Representatives member from Kathmandu 4, was defeated in the 2082 general election while contesting from Sarlahi 4. Conversely, the RSP, while demonstrating extraordinary electoral strength, has now become part of the very establishment it initially challenged.
Convention Agenda and Future Outlook
The 15th General Convention of the Nepali Congress is expected to address these internal and external challenges. The closed session and election program, starting today, will likely focus on party reforms and strategies to regain public trust. The federal parliament’s current session was prorogued by President Ramchandra Paudel yesterday, October 2, 2026, at midnight.
The current political situation is described as complex and in a historical transitional phase, with expectations for stability, good governance, and prosperity yet to be fully met. The long-term impact of the RSP’s rise and Balen Shah’s premiership on Nepal’s traditional political culture, and the future direction of the Nepali Congress under Gagan Thapa, remain subjects of ongoing analysis. The influence of new political forces in Madhesh Province and their role in addressing socio-economic issues there also awaits detailed study.
