KATHMANDU, May 15: The active membership issue remains the key obstacle delaying the Nepali Congress’s (NC) upcoming General Convention. Without finalizing active membership, the party cannot begin the convention process. Active membership is also essential for any leadership role within the party, making it a recurring point of contention during each convention.
Party officials had announced the renewal and distribution of active membership soon after the 14th General Convention. However, three and a half years later, not only has the distribution of new memberships stalled, but the renewal process has also seen little progress.
Unless the party chooses to exploit constitutional and statutory loopholes, it must hold its 15th General Convention by December 2025. But even the unresolved disputes over the pre-14th Convention membership remain a hurdle.
NC has two membership categories: general and active. A committee under General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa was formed to manage new and renewed active memberships. The committee includes Sita Gurung, Yogendra Chaudhary, and Prakash Rasaili (Sneh).
The Thapa-led committee has repeatedly sent directives and extended deadlines for the renewal process. The latest deadline, set for the end of April, has already passed, yet most districts have failed to carry out the renewal effectively. Factionalism and internal divisions have hampered progress at the grassroots level.
NC’s general convention uncertain as dispute continues to persi...
Ongoing rivalries and internal competition among leaders have further complicated the renewal process. As a result, membership disputes have intensified in eastern districts such as Solukhumbu and Khotang. In Madhes Province, several districts are also seeing increasingly contentious debates over renewals.
Lumbini Province has yet to resolve its membership disputes, and complaints are emerging from other regions that one faction is excluding another during the renewal process.
Committee member Rasaili claimed the renewal work is actively ongoing. He said that manpower has been mobilized from the central to district levels and that efforts are being made to resolve disputes in some areas.
However, disciplinary actions taken—or recommended—against members who acted against party interests in the last elections have also impacted the renewal process. These include leaders and activists who ran as rebel candidates, supported rival coalitions, or were involved in internal sabotage. While lower committees have already acted on some of these issues, the lack of a decision from the Central Disciplinary Committee has caused further delays.
Party insiders say the 15th General Convention is now uncertain due to these conflicts. Questions are also being raised over General Secretary Thapa’s performance. He is being accused of lacking commitment to holding the convention before the 2027 national elections. “He’s more focused on getting close to Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba than concluding the membership process and holding the convention,” a senior leader claimed.
Sources say President Deuba prefers to hold the convention only after the 2027 general elections. Most office bearers, including Thapa, reportedly support Deuba on this.
In the party’s Central Working Committee meeting held in February 2024, Thapa had submitted a proposal to hold the 15th General Convention by December 2025. However, several leaders allege that he has since lost focus. “Speeches alone won’t hold a convention, actions will,” one leader said. “The leadership is not serious about holding it before 2027, and they’re using the membership issue as an excuse.”
According to the party statute, the Central Working Committee’s four-year term will expire in December 2025. The statute allows for a one-year extension, meaning the party must hold the General Convention by December 2026 at the latest.
Constitutionally, all political parties must hold a general convention within five and a half years. NC used this provision in the past and is expected to do so again, extending the deadline to May 2027. If necessary, the party could even delay it another six months by paying a fine to the Election Commission.
Several leaders believe President Deuba and his allies want the convention to be held after the 2027 elections. Deuba reportedly hopes to return as prime minister and oversee both the elections and convention, thereby influencing the outcome in his favor. However, under the party’s rules, Deuba cannot run for president again.
With Deuba expected to retire from formal leadership, those aspiring to succeed him are working hard to win his favor, further delaying clarity over the convention date.
Leaders such as Shekhar Koirala, Shashank Koirala, Bimalendra Nidhi, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Purna Bahadur Khadka, Prakash Man Singh, and Gagan Kumar Thapa are all seen as contenders for the party leadership.
