Congress Election Review Highlights Internal Betrayal and Lack of Momentum for Change

April 14, Kathmandu – Following its electoral defeat, Nepali Congress is conducting detailed election reviews across the provinces, starting a month after the elections concluded. The process began in Madhesh Province under the leadership of party President Gagan Thapa.

The party has completed reviews in Madhesh, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces on March 24, 27, and 29 respectively.

Further review programs were scheduled for April 16 in Surkhet (Karnali Province), April 18 in Dhangadhi (Sudurpashchim Province), April 20 in Hetauda (Bagmati Province), and April 22 in Biratnagar (Koshi Province).

However, after the central office postponed the Surkhet review to April 24, the events in other provinces were also delayed accordingly.

Nepali Congress Karnali Province Secretary Niranjan KC released a statement informing that the provincial level review initially set for April 16 will now occur on April 24.

President Thapa, having lost to Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh in Sarlahi-4, visited Madhesh Province on March 24 to hold the first election review.

The review in Janakpur, Dhanusha, included participation from top leaders such as President Thapa, Vice President Pushpa Bhusal, General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire, Joint General Secretaries Farmulla Mansur and Dr. Dila Sangraula.

Congress evaluated candidates from 32 constituencies, regional and district chairs, province chairs, office bearers, and central representatives of Madhesh Province.

Attendees reported discussions focused on reasons for the defeat and future strategies.

Complaints regarding internal betrayal within the party surfaced, with accusations that some leaders withheld votes or failed to collaborate. Ramdev Shah, Congress Chair of Saptari, stated, “We discussed why the election was lost and the reasons behind it. Concerns arose about Congress obtaining fewer votes than active membership numbers.”

Shah added, “Those involved in betrayal must face disciplinary action. I clearly stated that action is necessary against those who failed to cooperate.”

Regional Secretary Rajesh Bhandari from Bara-3 also stressed the urgent need to end indiscipline, saying, “Those who obstruct must be punished. This should be seriously analyzed and disciplinary action intensified.”

Madhesh leaders cited multiple reasons for Congress’s loss, acknowledging that no single factor was responsible. They noted failure to grasp the wave of change and the defeat of honest leaders as significant issues, cautioning against hasty conclusions.

Outgoing party leaders aligned with former President Sher Bahadur Deuba, including Ramesh Rizal, Ajay Chaurasiya, and Dinesh Yadawal, participated in the review and urged President Thapa to unify and advance the party.

Leader Bhandari remarked, “We assured the president of our support and that we would unite the party. There is no alternative to Gagan Thapa; he must move forward.”

The review also addressed reforming the party’s membership system away from outdated methods. Saptari Chair Shah said, “Membership must be renewed, and organization strengthened accordingly.”

The special general convention issue was raised as well. Regional Secretary Bhandari commented, “Though the policy from the special general convention was good, the timing was poor. The Congress lost partly because it communicated with the public late.”

After Madhesh, the party conducted the Gandaki Province review on March 27 in Pokhara. Throughout this review, President Thapa appeared neither cheerful nor enthusiastic.

District chairs, candidates, and central officials delivered speeches during the session, which Thapa listened to attentively.

His demeanor differed significantly from that during the provincial assembly on January 6, prior to the elections on February 4.

It was only natural that President Thapa was not upbeat following a poor election outcome. As various leaders analyzed the results, he asked few questions.

Some leaders pointed out that the special general convention prevented party unity and sent negative signals before the election. Many described public opinion as a ‘storm’ that weakened Congress’s position.

Some attendees issued warning words against President Thapa, saying, “Previously, I battled with the ‘daís’ (elder brothers); now, do not fight with the special convention leadership too.”

Syangja Chair Raju Thapa urged President Thapa to collaborate with outgoing President Deuba and other leaders to move forward. He noted, “Earlier, the government and circumstances were not favorable to Congress; there was no protest.”

District Chair Raju Thapa emphasized that unity was the only option for Congress and urged focus on this effort. “It is time for you to take charge. Do not rise up against others next time,” he added.

The district chair clarified that vote loss was not due to the special general convention. “National and international conditions were not in Congress’s favor,” he said.

Joint General Secretary Dr. Dila Sangraula said the review discussed causes of defeat, future direction, and concerns. “Many said Congress received fewer votes than active membership numbers,” she revealed.

Dr. Sangraula informed that leaders urged the leadership to unify the party during the Gandaki review. “They said they support the leadership and emphasized the need to unite the party,” she added.

Following Gandaki, the party held the Lumbini Province election review on March 29 in Bhaluwang, Dang. Leaders cited internal betrayal, lack of cooperation from regular convention supporters, and attraction towards new parties as key causes of defeat.

Some leaders remarked that the special general convention failed to reconcile with regular convention supporters and that an anti-party election wave cost them the election.

Regional Chair Poshan KC from Banke-1 said, “There was a wave in favor of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The regular faction should have been united, which was a weakness as it was not achieved.”

Kamal Muslim, a candidate from Kapilvastu-1, criticized the decision to contest elections without publicly releasing the Gauribahadur Karki Commission report, calling it a major party mistake. “The report should have been disclosed to identify the culprits. It did not happen. Then Prime Minister Sushila Karki misled the leaders,” he claimed.

Kiran Kishore Ghimire, candidate in Dang-2, alleged that regular faction leaders did not assist, and that leaders including Sher Bahadur Deuba did not campaign or vote.

Banke Chair Arun Singh Rathore objected to Ghimire’s comments, stating, “It is not appropriate to criticize Sher Bahadur. He should contest the election with his ticket. We will not lose.”

Rathore added, “The special convention supporters told the outgoing president to remain silent, but this did not imply staying away from campaigning.”

MP Sandeep Rana from Palpa-1 urged all party members to overcome self-interest and engage in introspection. “Congress must move forward united, not divided. It is better to be a capable party worker than a leader of a weak party,” he said.

Lumbini Province Chair Amar Singh Pun stressed the full implementation of federalism within the party. He called for restructuring the central organization using federal terminology and principles.

During the review, some candidates complained about delayed ticket distribution resulting in reduced campaign time. Asutosh Mishra from Rupandehi-2 demanded action against those who obstructed.

Formal speeches were not permitted for regional chairs during the review. However, Banke-1 Chair KC shared informal observations, emphasizing party unity first. “Party unity must precede election review. We must start a root-level campaign, ensuring fairness across all factions,” he said.

KC remarked, “Identifying who lost in the election is irrelevant when a tsunami swept the country. The winner secured 60,000 votes, Congress got only 8,000. The party can only move forward united.”

He noted that President Thapa emphasized placing the party at the center of all efforts.

KC concluded, “Let us keep the party as the focal point. We are not individuals. Regular convention supporters are senior leaders and deserve respect. We are ready to step back if necessary to prioritize the party and move forward.”