KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has expressed concern over the party’s declining public support, warning that the party may face serious challenges in the upcoming 2084 elections if it fails to address the growing dissatisfaction among voters.
Speaking at a meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee on Sunday, Dr. Mahat emphasized the urgent need to safeguard Congress’s traditional voter base rooted in its historical values, culture, and ideologies.
“Ours is an old party, but people are becoming disillusioned with traditional parties. New parties are emerging with new names, and in this context, our base is gradually eroding. The party must take this seriously,” he said.
He stressed that failure to clearly and confidently represent the party’s core values, particularly those tied to religious and cultural identity, could lead to significant damage.
“We represent people who follow Hindu, Buddhist, Kirat, and nature-worshipping traditions. This is our party’s center-right identity. While communists reject religion, we are believers. This foundational ideology must be preserved and protected,” he asserted.
Dr. Mahat also expressed concern about increasing infighting among party leaders, particularly on social media and in public forums. “Internal disputes are damaging the party’s image and lowering morale among cadres,” he noted.
He criticized the ongoing active membership campaign, accusing leadership of prioritizing personal and family connections over genuine party workers.
“In the name of protecting traditional leadership, we’ve added family members while excluding real grassroots activists,” he said.
He called for the empowerment of the women’s wing at the local level, especially in rural areas where men are increasingly migrating abroad for work.
Addressing Congress’s participation in the coalition government, Mahat admitted it’s a difficult balancing act.
“Being in the coalition is difficult, but staying out is also not easy. Still, if we are in government, we must have a clear minimum agenda,” he said.
He added that Congress ministers must perform better than those from other parties to positively influence public perception.
Dr. Mahat questioned the effectiveness of provincial governments, citing poor leadership and rising disorder. “There is a shortage of senior leadership in the provinces. If this continues, public trust in the provincial structure may collapse,” he warned.
He raised alarm over the party’s weakening presence among the Nepali diaspora. Many contact committees abroad are inactive or symbolic, and rival parties are gaining ground overseas.
“If we don’t act, we will lose the support of Nepali communities abroad. We need a global and regional mechanism to strengthen our international network,” he stressed.
Dr. Mahat also called for urgent reforms in the party’s organizational structure, working methods, and financial discipline.
“Government investment is ineffective, employment generation is stagnant, and misgovernance is affecting both provincial and federal levels,” he said.
He concluded by urging party leadership to protect public trust, strengthen the organization, maintain unity, and respond to growing dissatisfaction among citizens.
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