Kathmandu, December 16

Nepali Congress has nearly doubled the number of its active members making it 470,655 by adding 22,179 members more than in its 12th National General Convention held in 2010.

A three-member Active Membership Probe Committee led by Narahari Acharya submitted its report at today’s Central Working Committee meeting in Sanepa and informed about the status of the active party members. Acharya informed that 59,464 active members, who were in the list during the previous NGC, did not renew their membership this time.

“Almost all participants at the CWC spoke on problems related to issuing active membership. They also suggested that the party should take a lead role in bringing agitating Madhes-based parties to mainstream politics and move ahead the bills introduced in Parliament,” said CWC member Balkrishna Khand.

Party President Sushil Koirala, who is not happy with party Vice-president Ramchandra Paudel’s activities aimed at grabbing the party leadership through the 13th NGC to be held from March 3 to 6 in Kathmandu, turned down Paudel’s request to defer the party’s ongoing CWC meeting for a few days, according to party sources. “Paudel requested Koirala to defer the CWC meeting for a few days citing his scheduled programmes in various districts.

Koirala, however, expressed discontent with Paudel for making visits with vested interest and rejected his plea saying the party’s meeting would discuss national as well as internal agendas,” said a CWC member.