Electoral Alliance Costs Nepali Congress 7% of Popular Votes: Gagan Thapa

Ahead of the Mahasamiti meeting slated to commence on February 19, Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Gagan Thapa has unveiled a comprehensive organizational report shedding light on the party’s recent electoral setbacks attributed to alliances.

Thapa’s 46-page dossier revealed a significant loss of approximately seven percent of popular votes in the last general election compared to the preceding one, directly attributing this decline to electoral alliances. Despite clinching the position of the single largest party in the nation, the NC grappled with managing aspiring candidates and encountered discontent among supporters over not fielding candidates in various constituencies due to these alliances.

According to the report, many NC supporters expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of the party’s election symbol, the tree, on ballots in several regions due to the electoral arrangements.

The organizational report further highlighted the NC’s current cadre strength, boasting 869,551 active members, out of which 114,525 were elected as representatives in electoral constituencies.

In a bold move aimed at revamping party dynamics, Thapa proposed stringent measures, suggesting the exclusion of teachers and government employees from party membership. Instead, individuals aspiring for party roles would be required to undergo standard procedures in accordance with the law, with their qualifications evaluated based on their prior performance.

Moreover, the report advocated for the formation of clusters comprising professionals, specialists, and individuals from diverse disciplines at all hierarchical levels, including the central committee.

Preceding the Mahasamiti meeting, discussions were held within the central committee regarding the policies and reports to be presented. Vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka presented a report on policies, Thapa delved into organizational matters, while another General Secretary, Bishwa Prakash Sharma, provided insights on contemporary political scenarios.

Central committee members have been tasked with scrutinizing the reports and furnishing point-wise recommendations in preparation for the upcoming Mahasamiti meeting.