KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress launched a month-long nationwide “Root Campaign” from April 15, aiming primarily to digitally update old active memberships across the country.
The campaign also included the distribution of new memberships and citizen outreach programs. However, after failing to complete the membership renewal process within the original timeframe, the party extended the deadline until June 4.
With only 10 days remaining before the deadline, party leaders and local representatives say the campaign has yet to effectively reach the grassroots level.
“We know the party has decided to update memberships, but we do not know how to do it. There is confusion about OTP codes and technical procedures,” said Parshuram Giri, ward president of Chapakot Municipality-6 in Syangja.
To address such complaints, the Membership Management Committee meeting held on Jestha 11 decided to assign 13 central members as facilitators in various districts.
Leadership change and digital push
Following the wave of the Gen-Z movement, the Nepali Congress underwent a leadership change through a special general convention in January. Gagan Kumar Thapa became party president with support from 56 percent of convention representatives.
Thapa had claimed he could connect the consciousness of a new generation with the legacy of the party’s older leadership. However, the March 5 election dealt a historic setback to both Thapa and the Nepali Congress.
The party, which had won 89 seats in the 2022 election, was reduced to just 38 seats.
After remaining relatively inactive for nearly a month following the defeat, Thapa returned to an active role and initiated several organizational reforms, including expanding committees at the central level and launching the digital membership update campaign aimed at modernizing the party and attracting younger supporters.
The party has already fixed the dates for its 15th General Convention, which is scheduled to be held from Asoj 16 to 19.
Push to identify “genuine” supporters
Party leaders say the campaign was also launched to identify loyal supporters after internal dissatisfaction emerged over voting behavior during the election.
“Instead of encouraging people around them to vote for the party symbol, some active members voted for other parties. Many candidates suffered defeat because of this,” party spokesperson Devraj Chalise said.
“The campaign will help identify members who genuinely support the party from their hearts,” he added.
Traditionally, the Nepali Congress has distributed and renewed memberships manually ahead of general conventions. During the 14th General Convention, the party had 852,711 active members.
Thapa himself had been entrusted with membership management for the 15th General Convention while serving as general secretary. According to data he submitted to the Central Committee last Asar, the party had expanded active memberships to around 870,000.
The party estimates that each active member influences at least two additional voters.
In the 2022 election, the Congress secured around 2.7 million votes, roughly matching its calculation based on membership influence. However, in the March 5 election, despite expecting around 2.61 million votes based on updated membership figures, the party received only 1,759,172 proportional representation votes.
The disappointing result intensified internal criticism regarding the credibility of the membership update process.
Internal criticism over membership update
Leaders who opposed the special general convention have continued raising objections over the membership issue.
Senior leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala included membership concerns in his five-point note of dissatisfaction regarding party decisions.
Likewise, former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka has argued that the party should move toward the 15th General Convention using the membership figures finalized before the special convention.
To ensure the campaign concludes within the extended deadline, the Membership Management Committee held another meeting in the presence of President Thapa on May 25.
According to spokesperson Chalise, the number of digitally updated memberships had crossed 172,000 by Sunday afternoon.
“It has already crossed around 175,000 and may reach 200,000 by this evening,” he said.
Technical arrangements and disciplinary measures
Chalise said physical forms had been sent to 30 hill and Himalayan districts where internet access could create difficulties in updating memberships online.
He added that the party has introduced AI-based 24-hour phone support, QR code systems and additional technical arrangements to facilitate the process.
“The party has provided AI and QR facilities for convenience. Central-level leaders have also been deployed. Why should we not work to make the party vibrant?” he said.
Membership renewal now requires identification documents, phone numbers and photographs. Party leaders say maintaining a centralized database with members’ contact details will help improve communication and organizational outreach.
Although members are not required to be physically present for renewal, verification must still be completed by ward presidents through mobile applications, QR systems or official party contact numbers.
Meanwhile, Thapa has already announced disciplinary action against around 50 ward presidents who allegedly failed to cooperate with the campaign.
“Yesterday, I assigned new individuals to handle membership-related responsibilities in place of around 50 ward presidents,” Thapa said while addressing a provincial-level program in Itahari.
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