Following major festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, preparations for street protests and political realignment have intensified across the country. Against this backdrop, the government yesterday replaced the chief of Nepal Police (IGP), removing Dan Bahadur Karki and appointing Dr. Manoj KC as the new Inspector General of Police. Amid this unexpected shake-up in police leadership and the post-festival protest atmosphere, meetings and discussions among top political leaders have picked up pace.
In this context, a special meeting took place between Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa and CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli. Although the two leaders reportedly discussed potential street protests and the evolving political situation, confidential sources indicate that intense discussions and preparations are underway in political circles regarding the potential arrest of President Gagan Thapa in connection with an undisclosed case. The government's prospective stern move and rumors surrounding President Thapa's arrest have further heightened political heat.
Meanwhile, strongly objecting to the government's potential action and strategy, Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Ajay Babu Shiwakoti issued an open challenge to the government. Expressing his outrage via social media, he wrote, "Government, we will not be perturbed by your fear and confusion. No need to deploy police to search, I am coming to Kathmandu." This statement by Joint General Secretary Shiwakoti has further fueled anger and distrust toward the government within the Congress rank and file.
Amid these widespread political developments, changes in security leadership, and a potential atmosphere of confrontation, the Nepali Congress has called an informal meeting of newly elected office bearers. Krishna Prasad Dulal, acting chief secretary of the party office, informed that an informal meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 3:00 PM at the party central office in Sanepa. "An informal meeting of available office bearers in Kathmandu has been called for 3:00 PM, where contemporary politics will be discussed," said acting Chief Secretary Dulal.
According to Vice President Madhu Acharya, the meeting will engage in deep discussions regarding the contemporary political situation as well as the division of responsibilities among newly elected office bearers. The division of work among office bearers elected from the 15th General Convention held from Ashwin 18 to 23 has not yet been finalized. On one hand, there is urgency to settle the party's internal work distribution, and on the other, the government's potential political siege and rumors of President Thapa's arrest have created massive waves within the Nepali Congress and broader politics.
