KATHMANDU: Senior Nepali Congress leader Bal Bahadur KC has raised serious concerns over the party’s internal dysfunction, calling for honest self-reflection and accountability within the leadership.
Speaking at the ongoing Central Working Committee meeting held at the party’s central office in Sanepa on Sunday, KC pointed out that the organization is not functioning as it should. He criticized party discipline, the role of sister organizations, and internal interference by senior leaders.
KC questioned the overall direction of the party, noting that after losing the 2079 parliamentary election from Solukhumbu, he was the first to congratulate his rival, UML candidate Manbir Rai. “That moment made me question whether our party is truly functioning in the right way,” he said.
Referring to his seven-time candidacy since 2048 BS, KC said, “Some say the party is running better than ever, others disagree. But we need to be honest about what’s really happening.”
KC emphasized that sister organizations are unable to operate effectively due to interference from central leaders. “We appoint people to positions, but do we let them work independently? It has reached a point where conventions can’t be held without interference,” he remarked.
He also stressed the importance of fairness in disciplinary actions, citing past incidents where leaders were sidelined for political convenience.
“Why was Govinda Raj Joshi removed by Ram Chandra Poudel? Why was Pushkar Ojha targeted by Sher Bahadur Deuba? These decisions weren’t made thinking about the long-term health of the party,” KC said.
Ojha had aspired to run from Kailali-5 in the 2074 elections, but Deuba gave the ticket to his wife, Arzu Rana. After Arzu lost to UML’s Naradmuni Rana, Ojha was penalized with suspension from active membership for alleged non-cooperation.
Likewise, the rivalry between Poudel and Joshi in Tanahun dates back years. Joshi was eventually expelled after opposing Poudel’s candidacy.
KC also criticized the removal of the elected president of the Women’s Association from Solukhumbu, calling it an unfair and authoritarian move. “Removing someone simply because you don’t like them is a dangerous trend. It breeds distrust and frustration among party workers,” he warned.
He shared a personal example from 2048 BS, when he and leaders Bharat Shamsher and Kuber Sharma were expelled during a party unification process under Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. “Even though that was a different context, such decisions affected the credibility of the leadership,” he said. “We must ensure such history does not repeat.”
KC concluded his remarks by urging the party to stop blaming individuals and start addressing the structural and cultural issues that have weakened the organization.
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