Disputes have resurfaced in the Nepali Congress over the selection of party’s active members, with some Central Working Committee (CWC) members objecting a report presented by leader Narahari Acharya. The Acharya-led committee was formed with a purpose to settle the selection dispute.

The selection of active membership remains a bone of contentin in the party. At the meeting on Wednesday, leaders close to party President Sushil Koirala objected the report, stating that it had failed to handle the dispute properly.

The report has deprived many genuine cadres of active membership, leader Bal Bahadur KC argued. “We do not accept the report, there should be re-investigation regarding the disputes,” KC said. Other leaders Ananda Prasad Dhungana and Formulah Mansur were also against the report.

Beginning on Thursday, the CWC will deliberate on the report. According to CWC member Ramesh Rijal, the disputes over active membership could affect the party convention scheduled for March.

“The committee which was represented by leaders from both sides has settled the disputes. But there are indications that the establishment faction may not accept this, rising fears of a problem,” said Rijal.

Leaders in the Deuba faction claimed that the Koirala camp had disowned the report after the increase in the number of active members on the former’s side.

In 2010, there were 316,000 active members. The committee has, however, proposed to increase that number to 470,655 for the upcoming convention. More than 24 districts have witnessed disputes over active membership.

The delay in finalising active membership is likely affect party’s village, regional and district-level conventions. The rival camps are competing to distribute membership to local cadres loyal to them. Only active members are entitled to vote during the party’s general convention that elects the party president and central leadership.