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President Ram Chandra Paudel has underscored the need for including people with disabilities (PWD) in all state mechanisms. 

Effective enforcement of legal and constitutional provisions on PWD's rights is imperative, the President reminded.

In a message given on the occasion of the 34th International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, the Head of State extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers living in the country and abroad. 

The PWD must be included in all state entitlements and opportunities of education, health and employment with due recognition, Paudel added.

President Paudel reminded, "Nepal's constitution has guaranteed rights to dignified life to the people living with disabilities and their access to public services. 

The national charter has also expected an equal, prosperous and just society based on the principles of proportional inclusion and participation. So, all sorts of discrimination against PWD must be eliminated."

He further reminded the urgency of creating PWD-friendly infrastructures to ease their access to office, schools, public vehicles, road, park, temples and private buildings. Equally important is ditching negative perspectives toward PWD and continuing advocacy for inclusion, equality and rights to such people.

Creation of a favourable atmosphere for PWD requires all sides' efforts- government, households, society and organizations.

The Day has been observed every year since 1992 at the initiative of the United Nations for the protection and promotion of the rights of people living with disabilities. The theme for this year is “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has formally presented an additional proposal to the party’s Central Committee, urging immediate steps to hold the 15th General Convention before the upcoming general election scheduled for March 5. 

In his proposal presented before the party’s Central Committee meeting on Monday, Thapa argues that the country’s political landscape has fundamentally changed since the Sept 8–9 GenZ uprisal, making a timely convention essential for the party’s credibility and renewal.

According to Thapa, the situation before and after the GenZ-led protests, which toppled the previous coalition government led by KP Sharma Oli, dissolved parliament and paved the way for an interim administration, was “completely different.” He said the unexpected national crisis shattered the political ground the party had been standing on.

“After the Sept 8-9 upheaval, the party cannot move forward with regular activities,” Thapa states in his proposal. He adds that in the new context, political parties across the spectrum are preparing for elections with fresh strategies, new leadership, and reorganized structures.

Thapa notes the Nepali Congress’s historical tradition of navigating moments of crisis through national gatherings, such as Mahasamiti sessions, special conventions and general conventions. “We cannot abandon that tradition,” he says, stressing that the party must present voters with renewed policies, leadership, and a clear political message before facing the electorate.

He also criticizes the party leadership for halting convention-related work for the past 45 days, arguing that the delay weakened the party’s political position and prevented necessary interventions in national politics. “Had the party allowed convention preparations to proceed as proposed in September, lower-level conventions would already have been completed,” he says.

On Monday, the party presented a revised schedule to conclude the central-level convention within 45 days. As per the party’s decision, the 15th General Convention will be held on Jan 10–12. Thapa describes the timeline as “highly challenging” but insists that the party must compensate for the time lost due to internal disagreements.

Thapa references the signatures of more than 54 percent of Central Committee members who on Oct 15 formally demanded a special general convention under Article 17(2) of the party statute. “Their intention was clear: the party must hold a convention (regular or special) before participating in the general election,” he states. 

He maintains that the party cannot face the general election, or the people, without a new mandate from the general convention. “Public trust cannot be secured through internal assurances alone. Our accountability lies with the Nepali people.” 

He also warns that if the 15th General Convention cannot be held for any reason by January, the party should not wait until the month’s end. Instead, it should immediately decide to move toward a special general convention. “In that situation, the party will have no choice,” he concludes.

Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal has vowed that the elections will not be disrupted due to the looted weapons and escaped prisoners.

Addressing the Sudurpaschim Province-level security seminar held in Dhangadhi today, Home Minister Aryal stated that it is not necessary to exaggerate much regarding the weapons looted and the escaped prisoners during the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9.

He said that 727 weapons looted during the Gen Z movement have been returned and 4,552 prisoners remain to be captured, adding that an 'operation' has been launched to arrest the remaining absconding prisoners and additional looted weapons are also in the process of being returned.

Noting that elections are indispensable in a democratic system, he said, "The government has prioritised talks, dialogue and discussion, and has geared up for the elections, listening to everyone without excluding anyone, and has moved towards elections incorporating everyone's sentiments."

He clarified that establishing good governance with the rule of law and an interference-free administration, and conducting fair and fraud-free elections within the stipulated time, is the main objective of the government.

Home Minister Aryal maintained that the Home Administration has been sincerely working on maintaining peace and security, controlling crime, good governance, and the effectiveness of service delivery in response to the demands raised by youths for good governance and justice following the events of September 8 and 9.

"The morale of the citizens and the nation will be high only if the morale of the security personnel is high," he said, adding that the relationship between citizens and security personnel has been gradually strengthening. 

He emphasized that the provincial government's role will also be important in creating an electoral environment within the designated time.

Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah, said that the provincial government is committed to creating an environment conducive for elections. 

He said, "Since the country can be led in the right direction through elections, it is necessary for everyone to unite and create an environment conducive to elections."

Province Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hira Sarki stated that the Government of Nepal should coordinate with parties to create a proper security environment.

The security seminar is chaired by Home Ministry Secretary Rameshwar Dangal.

The seminar is attended by the Inspectors General of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, the Chief of the National Investigation Department, the commander of the Army's Far-Western Regional Headquarters, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the chief security officials including the Chief District Officers from all nine districts of the province.

The workshop will discuss topics including provincial-level security challenges.

Nepali Congress leader Dr Shashanka Koirala has said that the timeline set for the party's General Convention is insufficient.

Speaking to the media in Chitwan today, he stressed that at least three months of preparation are necessary to organize the General Convention. 

“The time is not sufficient for the event. If it is not possible to hold it within the stipulated timeframe, it will take place after the election announced for March 5, 2026,” he said. 

The NC Central Committee meeting, which concluded on Monday, has decided to hold the General Convention on January 10–12. 

He expressed the view that everyone associated with the party should prepare for the General Convention and that it should also include participation from Gen Z groups.

Responding to a media query, he said, “I was considering running for the post of party president. Shekhar is also in the race. Discussions are going on. One of us will contest for the post.”