KATHMANDU, June 21: Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah has declared that the government will not retreat before achieving its designated goals, likening its journey to an express vehicle that will continue until reaching its destination.
Addressing the first general convention of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Chitwan on Sunday, Shah urged citizens to trust the party’s integrity in safeguarding national interests, particularly on sensitive border issues.
He claimed that Nepal has sufficient evidence regarding the border dispute. “Because border issues are highly sensitive, objections raised during discussions with other countries should be regarded as a normal part of the process,” Shah said.
Commenting on political leadership, Shah emphasized that winning the trust of the people is the main basis of leadership rather than forming personal groups. “To become a good leader, one must win the trust and love of the people. It cannot be done just by forming a group,” he added.
At the same convention, Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa said his party is a competitor of the RSP but not an enemy. He stressed that healthy competition between parties is necessary in a democracy and asserted that the NC will move forward as a stronger and cleaner party in the future.
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Thapa recalled that both the country and democracy were weakened in the past because some political parties failed to properly manage public opinion. He advised the RSP to be cautious not to rep
eat such mistakes. He also pointed out the need for self assessment within his own party, criticizing weaknesses seen in the NC in recent years. Thapa said politics should not only be a means of gaining power but should focus on good governance, service delivery, and public accountability.
Barshaman Pun, leader of the Nepali Communist Party, said his party has been cooperating with the RSP in campaigns for good governance, transparency, and anti corruption, and that such cooperation will continue. He stated that both parties share a common agenda on governance and corruption control. Pun described the RSP convention as important from a national political perspective, noting that the leadership, ideas, and strategies chosen will influence overall politics.
According to Pun, the RSP is moving forward with a nationwide organizational structure for the first time, making the convention historic in the party’s development. “In a democracy, government and numbers are temporary, but the methods, procedures, and institutions must be permanent,” he said.
Rajendra Lingden, President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), claimed that supporters of the monarchy also contributed to the votes won by the RSP. He said the rise of the RSP was not due to the power of traditional political organizations or money, but because of the people’s desire for change. Lingden argued that although the organizational structure was weak, public dissatisfaction and aspirations supported the RSP.
He noted that the election results challenged old political equations and showed that political power and money were not the only decisive factors. Lingden added that the problems of the country are not limited to individuals but extend to the constitutional structure itself. “The problem is not only with the leaders of yesterday, but also with the constitution and constitutional system they brought,” he said.
CPN (UML) leader Pradeep Gyawali said the mandate obtained by the RSP in the last election should be used to strengthen democracy, nation building, and the welfare of the people. He remarked that the RSP has now reached a “turning point,” where the challenge is to transform the movement into an organized political force.
Gyawali suggested that the RSP should move beyond mere popularity or attraction to individuals and become an ideologically clear organization. He emphasized the need to advance with the principles of constitutionalism, rule of law, fundamental rights, social justice, inclusiveness, and responsible governance.
Speaking on Nepal’s geopolitical balance, Gyawali said the country must be cautious in maintaining relations with neighboring countries. He stressed that balanced diplomacy is necessary to protect national interests and independence.
