How Many Members Have Renewed Their Congress Membership?

May 24, Kathmandu – Following the finalization of active membership in Nepali Congress, the process for party-level conventions is set to begin. However, the determination of active membership has become a contentious issue within the party.

The establishment faction is accused by others of distributing memberships favorably and manipulating delegate selection for the General Convention—charges that have been repeatedly made. Despite this ongoing dispute, the number of active members has increased. Before the 14th General Convention, the publicly declared active membership was 852,711.

Last Ashad, then General Secretary and Membership Management Committee Coordinator Gagan Thapa informed a party meeting that the active membership had reached 870,000. Some leaders have even publicly claimed that the party has one million active members. Since a regular General Convention could not be held, representatives were selected based on the 14th General Convention roll call for a special convention.

Although the publicly declared membership has grown consistently before each General Convention in Congress, the number of votes the party receives in national elections has decreased. This discrepancy has sparked debates about the validity and necessity of so-called ‘show’ members who do not vote for their own party. After elections, discussions often arise about the ‘inflated’ number of active members versus actual votes. Questions are raised when a ward has sizable active membership yet fails to deliver votes to the party’s candidates.

Within the party, some argue there is no purpose in increasing membership numbers if an active member cannot even cast a vote for themselves and two others. For instance, before the recent elections, Congress reportedly had 870,000 active members; if each had the ability to add two additional votes, the party could have garnered over 2.6 million proportional votes. Instead, Congress received only 1,759,172 votes in proportional representation.

The party leadership acknowledges the problem that active members often do not translate into votes for Congress. Contrastingly, complaints have surfaced in disciplinary committees citing that even when their own candidates lose, the party’s active membership remains engaged.

Following election defeats, some leaders and activists supporting a special General Convention have argued that all existing active memberships issued so far should be cancelled. However, the party decided to update membership rather than cancel them.

The membership renewal process began from the first day of the new year 2083 B.S. Party leaders and activists have been visiting their wards to update memberships as per the procedures set by Chairperson Gagan Thapa, who initiated the drive on Baisakh 1.

One faction opposing the special General Convention has strongly objected to the membership renewal decision. Former Chairperson Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala’s faction remain adamant about preserving existing renewals for the 15th General Convention.

Leaders indicate that Chairperson Thapa has played a strong role in advancing the membership renewal effort. Two days ago, at a provincial-level party event in Itahari, he signaled progress on this matter. The Chairperson replaced nearly 50 ward chairpersons who refused to cooperate with new ward leaders tasked with membership updates.

According to Chairperson Thapa, ‘Yesterday, I assigned new comrades responsibility for active membership work in place of nearly 50 ward chairpersons.’ The names of those ward chairpersons who failed to cooperate have not been publicly disclosed.

Party sources report that preparations are underway to assign additional new persons to positions of ward chairpersons who continue to resist cooperation. A top-level leader stated, ‘The Chairperson has obtained lists of uncooperative ward chairs from the General Secretary. Those who do not comply with party decisions must vacate their posts.’

General Secretary Pradeep Paudel, who chairs the Membership Management Committee, said plans are in place to transfer the authority for renewal from ward chairpersons who obstruct updates to other individuals, in accordance with special General Convention decisions.
To facilitate ease in renewal, physical visits to ward offices are not mandatory; members can update via a mobile app, QR code, or by contacting a provided party office number.

Ward chairpersons are responsible for registering each member’s renewal. Assistance is available through the central office for any inquiries during the process.

More than a dozen staff members are deployed at the central office for membership renewal. The Membership Management Committee noted that video tutorials have been produced to simplify the procedure. There is also provision to complete the process with AI assistance.

A central office staff member reported receiving over 500 daily phone calls regarding the renewal process and issues with ward chairperson non-cooperation.

In areas with poor internet access, a form-filling alternative is offered instead of online renewal. Forms have been sent to 30 hill and mountain districts.

Renewal rates have been relatively lower in the Madhes and Sudurpashchim regions. Coordinator General Secretary Paudel stated that over 172,000 members have been registered so far, excluding unregistered ward chairpersons and those renewing through forms.

The deadline for membership renewal is set for Jestha 21. After this date, the Membership Management Committee will include members who renewed before the 15th General Convention but could not complete updates.

The party requires identity proof, phone number, and a photo for membership renewal. According to Chairperson Thapa, the phone number is necessary to efficiently communicate with a large group of members simultaneously.

Chairperson Thapa explained, ‘The global methods of communication have changed. With digital technology, I can directly communicate with up to 500,000 people at once.’ He added, ‘In this context, the party lacks data for directly connecting with active members; building this data is imperative. Data is the party’s asset.’

General Secretary Paudel expressed that the membership renewal campaign has revitalized and energized the party. He stated, ‘Programs are taking place in every ward. Members are actively updating their memberships. Some colleagues have even expressed suspicions seeing such transparent efforts.’