KATHMANDU: As the deadline for updating active memberships in the Nepali Congress (NC) nears its end, the internal balance of power has taken a significant turn. Former President Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader Shekhar Koirala—longtime rivals within the party—have joined forces on a single front regarding the membership update dispute.

The Nepali Congress had launched its nationwide membership update campaign on May 16, 2026. Although the initial deadline expired on June 5, it was subsequently extended until midnight on June 11. Even as the deadline runs out, a majority of members from the Deuba-Koirala faction have refrained from updating their statuses. Top leaders themselves have bypassed the process, directly challenging the establishment faction.

Out of roughly 800,000 total members, only about 450,000 have updated their memberships so far. Although the establishment claims the figure is closer to 650,000, the rival faction lacks precise data due to their coordinated boycott of the process.

Both camps drew closer after anticipating the strategy the establishment faction might adopt once the deadline expires. Koirala has repeatedly stated that he would rather leave the party than update his membership under the current terms. Previously, General Secretary Gagan Thapa and former President Deuba had maintained a distance from both main factions to cultivate a ‘centrist’ identity. However, following alignment on the membership issue, Koirala has now teamed up with the Deuba group.

The Deuba-Koirala alliance has scheduled a regional gathering in Koshi Province on June 14, which Koirala will lead personally. Prior to that, the Deuba faction has called a meeting in Madhesh Province on June 13, spearheaded by Anand Prasad Dhungana and Bimalendra Nidhi.

While the Deuba faction’s independent gathering is seen as routine, the joint assembly featuring both Koirala and Deuba loyalists poses a direct challenge to the NC establishment. Although there is lingering confusion over whether a district, municipal, or provincial committee is officially hosting the event, it has been confirmed that Koirala will attend as the chief guest.

According to Deepak Chapagain, the NC Biratnagar Metropolitan President, the gathering was initially meant to be organized by the Koshi Province Committee. However, Koshi Province President Uddhav Thapa has not yet given his formal commitment, though General Secretaries Bhupendra Rai and Umesh Thapa are confirmed to attend.

In terms of attendance, the Koshi gathering is generating significant buzz, as it will be heavily dominated by key leaders close to former President Deuba. Chapagain noted that while few core Koirala loyalists will be present, trusted Deuba allies such as Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, and Dr. Shashank Koirala are slated to attend.

Billed as a “Koshi Province-level Gathering for Greater Unity Within the Party,” Chapagain explained, “Shashank Koirala was invited for his family legacy, while Krishna Sitaula and Bijay Kumar Gachhadar were brought in as heavyweight leaders of Koshi Province.” The guest list extends beyond them to include Deuba faction figures NP Saud and Min Bishwakarma, alongside Koirala loyalists Minendra Rijal, Rajiv Koirala, and Kedar Karki.

The timing of this gathering, coinciding with the end of the membership update window, is viewed as highly strategic. Dinesh Chandra Thapaliya, personal secretary to Koirala, stated, “The objective of this gathering is to bring together leaders who did not participate in the special general convention to foster broader unity within the party.”

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Both the Koirala and Deuba factions boycotted the party’s recent special general convention. Consequently, communication has completely broken down between these two factions and the newly elected party President, Gagan Thapa. The rift widened further once the membership update drive commenced. “There is absolutely no communication, dialogue, or proposal for talks from the establishment side,” Thapaliya added. “What happens next regarding the non-updated memberships is for the party leadership to figure out.”

Establishment faction on the defensive

The establishment faction finds itself under immense pressure after high-profile, veteran faces who dissent against the current leadership began forming a unified front. The consolidation of seasoned senior leaders into an opposition bloc threatens to signal to the wider party rank-and-file that the establishment’s grip is weakening.

As the clock runs out, the establishment has adopted a defensive posture toward those refusing to update their memberships. While it initially threatened disciplinary action against non-compliant leaders and cadres, the leadership has softened its stance. Party Spokesperson Devraj Chalise remarked, “Dialogue and talks are continuous processes within a party. Let us not make negative assumptions about the outcome just yet.”

The establishment claims it sent a seven-point compromise proposal to former Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, Koirala, and other dissenting leaders after realizing the rival faction was skipping the update process. While the exact details remain undisclosed, the establishment asserts the proposal includes offers to integrate all factions into the Central Working Committee, Election Committee, Disciplinary Committee, and Active Membership Management Committee.

However, the rival faction counters that the establishment only sent the seven-point proposal to former Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka. “Even the proposal sent to him lacked any common ground for agreement,” stated Deuba faction leader Bimalendra Nidhi. “I will not update my membership. Our gatherings in Madhesh on June 13 and Koshi on June 14 will deliberate on this, and we will deliver our collective response to the leadership from there.”

Nidhi insisted that renewals valid prior to the special general convention must be recognized. He added that no agreement is possible unless the committees elected from the special and 14th general conventions are merged, office-bearers and members are jointly nominated, and key investigation, election, and disciplinary committees are formed by consensus. “Only then should we head toward the regular 15th general convention. Agreements must also cover sister organizations and amendments to the party statute. We don’t even know what they changed in the statute amendment they passed,” Nidhi argued.

Koirala has similarly denied receiving any formal communication from the establishment. “Contrary to rumors, there is absolutely no information regarding a seven-point proposal sent by the establishment side for a consensus,” Thapaliya quoted Koirala as saying. “No one should fall for such fabricated, imaginary, and misleading information.”

According to Koirala’s secretariat, there has been no contact with the establishment since General Secretary Pradip Paudel met Koirala at his Bishalnagar secretariat on April 5, 2026, followed by a meeting with President Thapa on May 5, 2026, shortly after the new working committee took charge via the special general convention.