Nepali Congress dispute persists despite active membership decision

Kathmandu, September 7, 2026 — The Nepali Congress has resolved a key dispute over active membership ahead of its 15th general convention, but divisions over party leadership and organizational structure continue to prevent an immediate settlement of its internal conflict.

A meeting of the party’s Working Committee on Sunday decided to allow members whose renewed active memberships could not be updated due to technical reasons to participate in the process of the 15th general convention.

Party spokesperson Devraj Chalise said the decision applies to all renewed active members whose records remain to be updated, except those who have violated party discipline, left the party or died.

The decision has removed one procedural obstacle, but differences among the party’s three major factions remain unresolved. Disagreements persist over the party’s leadership, the composition of the central committee and arrangements for the upcoming general convention.

Party President Gagan Thapa had met former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka on Saturday evening and party leader Dr Shekhar Koirala on Sunday before the Working Committee meeting. Following those discussions, the committee revised its earlier requirement that renewed active memberships must be updated, but did not reach decisions on the other demands raised by different factions.

Shyam Kumar Ghimire, a former central member close to Khadka, said agreement with one individual or faction would not be enough to restore unity. He said consensus would need to involve both the Chun Devi and Sanepa camps.

Ghimire said the group was seeking, among other things, the appointment of 111 people elected to the Central Working Committee at the 14th general convention but left outside the current central committee. He said the two sides should also have balanced representation on all committees related to the election and that major decisions should be made through consensus rather than a majority vote.