KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has called on the government to immediately begin the process of amending the constitution.

Speaking at the Nepali Congress Banke House of Representatives constituency-level conference on Wednesday, he stressed the need to honour the seven-point agreement reached between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML during the formation of the present coalition government.

Thapa criticised the current electoral system, stating that it has destabilised governance in Nepal. He called for reforms to enable single-party majorities, ensuring stable, five-year governments and more inclusive parliamentary representation.

He insisted that while the federal democratic republic must be safeguarded, state expenditure should be reduced. Thapa proposed downsizing the number of ministers suggesting 10 to 15 at the federal level and three to five in provinces.

Highlighting the need for constitutional amendment, he said federalism must be improved. Party leaders Madhu Acharya, Maikulal Valmiki, Amar Singh Pun, and Narayan Prasad Gaudel also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier on Tuesday, Thapa said that the mission of the Nepali Congress is not ‘84’, but employment and development.

He made the statement while inaugurating the third regional conference of Nepali Congress Banke Constituency No. 2 in Nepalgunj on Tuesday.

Thapa said that internal factionalism within the party would come to an end once active members are granted the right to elect the party president.

He also emphasised that constitutional amendments are essential to change the current electoral system, as it is evident that Nepal’s existing system does not ensure political stability.

Thapa stressed that it is the Nepali Congress’s responsibility to root out the deep-seated evils in Nepali society, stating that corruption is a major disease in the country and that anyone involved in corrupt practices must be punished.