Kathmandu, Dec 16: Sunil Bahadur Thapa has resigned from his post as Political Adviser to President Ram Chandra Paudel, citing his intention to return to active politics within the Nepali Congress ahead of the party’s upcoming general convention and national elections.
Thapa said he submitted his resignation on November 28, which was accepted the same day. Since then, he has been visiting the President’s Office at Shital Niwas solely to complete the formal handover of responsibilities and related documents.
In his resignation letter, Thapa said the prevailing political context required his more direct engagement in party activities. He noted that continuing in an advisory role could limit his political future within the mainstream political arena.
“I have decided to become more actively involved in meaningful political activities so that I can continue working for the vision of our party and the nation,” Thapa wrote, adding that he had carried out his responsibilities “with honesty and dedication.”
Thapa served as Political Adviser to the President from April 2023. He expressed gratitude to President Paudel and the staff of the presidential office for their cooperation and guidance during his tenure.
His decision comes as the Nepali Congress prepares for internal organizational elections as well as upcoming national polls. Thapa has indicated that he will focus on preparations for the party’s general convention and may also pursue a bid in the National Assembly election.
The son of late former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, Sunil Bahadur Thapa entered Nepali politics in 2011 after resigning from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, where he had an international career.
He was initially associated with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and was elected from Dhankuta-2 in the second Constituent Assembly election. In 2020, he joined the Nepali Congress, was appointed joint general secretary, and was later elected as a central committee member at the party’s 14th general convention.
