Kathmandu, Oct. 18 -- Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa took the oath of office on Saturday, a week after being elected party chief, pledging to make Congress the most trusted political force during his four-year term.

Other office bearers and central committee members will take their oaths after Dashain. Thapa said he had taken the oath earlier because the party needed to make several decisions in the meantime.

Speaking at the party's central office after the oath ceremony, Thapa outlined his priorities, saying democracy, self-respect and social justice would guide his leadership. He also pledged to make Congress a leading force in ideological debate and social movements.

Thapa said his leadership would be judged not by speeches o...