- Advertisement -
Kathmandu, Nepal, March 9, 2026: In the wake of a devastating defeat in the House of Representatives elections, the Nepali Congress (NC) has been plunged into a state of deep soul-searching. Party President Gagan Thapa, taking full moral responsibility for the party's poor performance, has signaled his readiness to step down from his post.
The move comes just days after the February 2026 (Falgun 21) elections, which saw the country’s oldest democratic party reduced to a mere 18 seats nationwide. Adding to the crisis, nearly all top office bearers, including Thapa himself—who contested from Sarlahi-4—faced personal defeats at the polls.
A Private Reckoning in Baneshwor
Sources close to the leadership revealed that Thapa expressed his intent to resign during a high-stakes meeting with Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma in New Baneshwor on Sunday evening.
"I cannot lead a party after such a staggering loss. I will submit my resignation," Thapa reportedly told Sharma, emphasizing that his decision was rooted in political ethics.
Leadership Urges Restraint
However, Vice President Sharma has reportedly urged Thapa to reconsider. Sharma’s stance is that a sudden exit would create a dangerous power vacuum at a time when the party needs stability most. He argued that since the new leadership was elected during a special convention only 50 days before the polls, the blame cannot be placed solely on the President’s shoulders.
"This is not the time to walk away; it is the time to analyze where we failed," a leader quoting Sharma said. "Resigning now could leave the organization in a even more precarious position."
A Party at a Crossroads
The election results have sent shockwaves through the NC rank and file. While one faction within the party is demanding a total leadership overhaul, others believe that a "runaway resignation" would be a disservice to the party’s long-term recovery.
"The question isn't just about who sits in the chair," said a senior NC leader. "It’s about how we lost the trust of the people and how we can get it back."
As the party prepares for a formal review of the results, Thapa’s resignation hint has turned the spotlight on the future of the "youth leadership" that took over with high hopes just months ago. The upcoming Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting is expected to be a fiery session as the party decides whether to accept a leadership change or focus on structural reforms.
