KATHMANDU, May 2: Nepali Congress (NC) is facing a deepening internal rift over active membership ahead of its 15th General Convention as a leadership-driven initiative to update and digitise membership records triggered strong opposition from rival factions.
The party leadership has presented the exercise as part of organisational strengthening and modernisation. However, opposing groups have called it unconstitutional and an attempt to undermine long-standing party members.
The controversy escalated after party President Gagan Kumar Thapa announced on April 8 that all existing active memberships had been annulled and would be renewed through a new system. He cited a Central Working Committee (CWC) decision stating that membership records would be reset and all members required to reapply under updated procedures.
Earlier, the CWC meeting held on March 24-25 had decided to launch a nationwide “membership update campaign,” requiring all members to refill forms under the party statute and obtain updated records. The party also planned a one-month “Return to Roots Campaign” across 1,743 wards.
NC’s general convention uncertain as dispute continues to persi...
Under the plan, updated members will receive a new NC identity card (Congress ID), which will be mandatory for participation in the upcoming convention process.
The decision has been strongly criticised by senior leaders from the establishment-opposition camp, who argue that membership cancellation exceeds the authority of the central committee. Former Acting Party President Purna Bahadur Khadka has said only a general convention can decide on membership validity.
Meanwhile, joint general secretaries Pradeep Paudel and Gururaj Ghimire clarified that the initiative is intended for updating and systematising membership records, not cancellation.
The campaign formally began on April 14, with Thapa initiating the process in Kathmandu. However, factions led by former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and senior leader Dr Shekhar Koirala have expressed reservations and limited participation.
Both factions argue that membership renewal has already been completed and that a fresh reset is unnecessary and divisive. Separate meetings in Kathmandu and Sudurpaschim have further strengthened opposition to the process.
Despite resistance, the leadership maintains that only members who complete the update and obtain a Congress ID will be eligible to participate in the convention. Physical verification at ward level has been made mandatory.
Party data shows that out of 870,884 active members from the 14th General Convention, over 300,000 have renewed their membership, while significant gaps remain in contact and identity records.
The dispute reflects a long-standing pattern within the party, where membership management has repeatedly triggered factional conflict ahead of conventions since the 12th General Convention.
Party leaders also acknowledge growing concerns over electoral underperformance and internal cross-voting, with analysis showing instances where candidates received fewer votes than recorded active members. As the convention approaches, the unresolved membership dispute continues to expose deep organisational divisions within Nepal’s largest democratic party.
