Nepali Congress (NC) leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe has highlighted the need to rekindle hope and trust among citizens through consensus, collaboration and good governance.
In his address to the first meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, he said frustration had flared up among the public due to political instability and weak governance while laying emphasis on visionary policy and stable government to prevent the prevalence of such a situation in coming days.
Noting that there has been progress in infrastructure, electricity, communication, health, and financial sectors despite challenges such as armed conflict, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic over the past 35 years, leader Angdembe argued the pessimistic view that 'nothing has happened' is not based on reality.
He paid tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives in various democratic movements up to the recent Gen Z uprising, and emphasized that all political forces must unite to prevent violence from recurring in the country.
He recalled struggles including the 1990 People's Movement, the armed conflict, the 2006/07 People's Movement, and the Madhes Movement, expressing the view that, despite differences in opinion, everyone should focus on realizing a single national goal.
He described the parliamentary democratic system as Nepal's common path and noted that all political forces have recommitted to this system proposed by BP Koirala.
Angdembe clarified that the Congress will perform the role of a responsible opposition.
He congratulated the Rastriya Swatanta Party on being elected as the largest party, and the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, and wished for a successful term.
He stated that the government should conduct a fair investigation into the last September 8-9 incidents and make public the actual damage occurred at the Parliament House and Singha Durbar.
He demanded action against the guilty and protect the innocent in the incidents.
Angdembe mentioned that the opposition would strongly keep vigilance if the new government acted contrary to the constitution and public expectations.
Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to President Ram Chandra Paudel, former Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the Election Commission, security agencies, and journalists for their contribution to successfully conducting the election.
