Congress begins grassroots campaign

Kathmandu, April 15: The Nepali Congress has formally launched its nationwide Grassroots Campaign (Jara Abhiyan) to renew active membership, marking the official start of preparations for the party’s 15th General Convention.
The campaign began on the first day of Baisakh (April 14), with party president Gagan Kumar Thapa personally renewing his membership from Kathmandu Metropolitan City-30. The initiative will continue until the first week of May and is set to reach all 77 districts across the country.
According to party officials, the campaign aims to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level.
Programmes will be conducted in all 6,743 wards nationwide over the course of a month, with central representatives working in coordination with district committees to mobilise local participation.

Speaking to the press, president Thapa expressed his commitment to party unity, noting that his primary responsibility is to lead the organisation forward, prepare for upcoming elections, and fulfil the duties of an effective opposition.
While reiterating his commitment to humility and flexibility in his leadership, Thapa cautioned that these qualities should not be misconstrued as weakness. He maintained that he remains strictly bound by the party’s constitution and urged all members to cooperate in the party’s advancement, warning those who cannot support his leadership to refrain from causing further disruption.
Meanwhile, general secretary Pradip Paudel said the campaign was not limited to updating membership records but also focuses on reviewing the party’s organisational activities. “We will engage with the public, young people, and supporters beyond the party, assess the performance of elected representatives, and facilitate discussions related to local governance and upcoming budget preparations,” he said.
A major feature of this campaign is the introduction of a stricter membership renewal system. Party members are now required to be physically present at their respective Wards within the months of April and May to update their membership. Upon renewal, members will receive a NC’s ID, which will be mandatory to participate in the 15th general convention, including voting.