Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane has pledged to continue working with other political parties in support of democracy and political change.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Nepali Congress’s 15th General Convention in Kathmandu on Sunday, Lamichhane said his party would remain committed to democratic values and correct government decisions when necessary.

“We will not deviate from democratic values and principles. Our commitment to democracy will not waver,” he said. “If the government makes wrong decisions, we will correct them.”

He said his party would continue working with other political forces in support of democracy and political change.

“We will move forward together, step by step, in support of democracy and change,” Lamichhane said.

Addressing the same event, Nepali Communist Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal congratulated Thapa for breaking with the Congress party’s political continuity and leading it towards what he described as a new chapter.

“I have always said that we must be able to break with continuity,” Dahal said. “You have broken with that continuity and led the Congress towards a new history. I would like to congratulate you especially for that.”

Dahal said the country was going through a “complex and challenging” period, with natural disasters having killed thousands, destroyed large amounts of property and left thousands missing.

He said the Congress convention was taking place against that backdrop and recalled that he had viewed Thapa as someone capable of leading the country since Thapa served as health minister during Dahal’s second stint as prime minister.

Dahal said Thapa had now shown the courage to lead the country and that his party would support him.

He also cautioned against creating divisions between younger and older generations within the Congress. Society, he said, must move forward by bringing together older, middle-aged and younger generations.

Dahal said democracy and the Constitution were also facing difficulties and called on all political parties to work together to strengthen Nepal’s federal democratic republic and its Constitution.

He said the remaining tasks of the peace process must be completed and urged Thapa to take responsibility for bringing the process to a conclusion. The gains of inclusive democracy should be strengthened, he said.

Dahal also called for greater understanding among the Congress, left-wing parties and other political forces in the coming days, saying