Internal Crisis and Call for Reform in Nepali Congress

With 800,000 active members contributing NPR 1 daily, the Nepali Congress collects NPR 292 million annually in membership fees, yet there is no audit process for funds received from businessmen or foreign sources. Beyond active membership, the party continuously collects NPR 600-700 million annually from units and central committees; without presenting these accounts to the public, the party's resurgence is impossible.

The Nepali Congress has undergone a process of 'leftist-leaning.' The party's foreign policy is currently in a state of decline, and it is dominated by contractors. Those who claim to be 'new' or 'youth' leaders have reached the age of fifty while securing half a dozen opportunities, maintaining the dominance of factions.

The party's capacity for renewal has stalled. Data shows that youth up to the age of 35 are becoming alienated from the party. While figures like Thapa, Sharma, and Paudel face sharp criticism from their own colleagues on social media, Gagan Thapa has shown no willpower to address these issues.

I write this not as an outsider, but as a committed individual with deep faith in the democratic ideals and historical legacy of the Nepali Congress. It is this faith that compels me to express serious concern regarding the party's current direction, internal practices, and moral standing. I have concluded that those currently leading the special general convention lack the capacity to accept the suggestions for overhauling the party.

As Nepal demands principle-based leadership, clear vision, and institutional integrity, the party appears plagued by contradictions, weakened by a lack of transparency, and increasingly distant from the public. I have consistently opposed corruption, raised questions in Parliament, and written to party presidents and ministers. I have never adopted a policy of compromising for convenience. I recall the efforts of General Secretary Gagan Thapa with gratitude, though that experience was complex.

First, the issue of financial transparency must be addressed immediately. I respectfully request a detailed audit report of all income and expenditure from the past to the present. Accountability must begin within the party.

Second, the party needs to review its ideological stance. Vague and selectively applied socialist practices have created confusion rather than direction. The party must adopt a clear, visionary policy that encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.

Third, leadership accountability and generational transition are crucial. The repetition of the same leadership has caused stagnation and public frustration. It is time for long-standing leaders to step aside and provide opportunities to the new generation.

In this context, leaders like Gagan Kumar Thapa must demonstrate the highest level of transparency and moral accountability. Questions regarding potential links to individuals involved in environmental destruction in the Chure region or the production and distribution of low-quality alcohol affecting public health require clear and transparent answers.

Similarly, the ticket distribution process raises serious questions. Giving tickets repeatedly to the same individuals, providing opportunities to those with controversial images—such as Bijay Gachhadar—and prioritizing personal associates undermine the party's credibility.

The contributions of grassroots workers who struggled during the Panchayat era and the conflict period cannot be ignored. Prioritizing convenient politics over honoring their sacrifices is unjust.

To restore public trust, the party must immediately take the following steps:

• Publish a white paper covering all financial details of the party.
• Conduct an independent investigation into allegations regarding the sale of tickets in local level elections.