Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Kumar Thapa has stated that his party views Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) as a major competitor rather than an enemy. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of RSP’s first General Convention that kicked off in Bharatpur, Chitwan today, Thapa emphasized that while a healthy rivalry exists between the two political forces, there is no room for hostility.
Expressing admiration for RSP's growing public support, Thapa declared that Nepali Congress aims to grow stronger and surpass the new party, but not by tearing you down. "Nepali Congress is a competitor to RSP, not an enemy. We want to grow taller. We admire your height, and we want to be taller than you one day. But we will not achieve this holding you back or diminishing your role. We want to rise by working honestly in mind, word, and deed," Thapa asserted.
Thapa further made it clear that as an opposition and competitor in Parliament, Nepali Congress will maintain a balanced approach toward the RSP-led government, offering cooperation where necessary and criticism where it deserves. "We want to purge ourselves, but not by pointing out your dirt. We want to clean the odor within our own party. We will raise our fingers and question where necessary, and we will applaud where it is deserved," he added, while also urging the RSP line to continue critically evaluating its own leadership.
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