Ahead of the 15th general convention of the Nepali Congress, a high-stakes ideological dispute has erupted at the core of Nepal’s grand old party. Beyond the fierce competition for leadership, Congress leaders and cadres are deeply divided over whether to maintain the traditional doctrine of democratic socialism articulated by founding leader Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala (BP) or to redefine its ideological orientation towards social democracy to reflect changing socio-economic realities and appeal to a younger electorate.

The ideological debate flared up after the party’s special general convention held in January elevated Gagan Thapa to party presidency. The document adopted at the convention formally introduced the concept of social democracy, calling for the party’s guiding principles, ideas, and policies to be updated, modified, and reinterpreted in line with public aspirations and demands of the times.

However, the dissident faction loyal to former president Sher Bahadur Deuba has mounted a sharp critique, accusing the new leadership of deviating from the party’s foundational socialist path. The Deuba camp, which has been seeking to organise a parallel general convention, argues that the shift under Thapa’s leadership compromises the distinct identity and historical character of the Nepali Congress.

The establishment faction claims that the party has not abandoned socialism but is rather updating it to reflect contemporary political, economic, and social realities. Thapa has said that issues including youth empowerment, good governance, social inclusion, public service delivery, economic reforms, and state restructuring will be guided by policies rooted in social democracy. This stance formed the centerpiece of his policy presentation and political campaign ahead of the March 5 parliamentary elections.

Adding a new layer to the internal debate is the rapid political rise of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). After emerging as the largest party in the House of Representatives in the March polls, the RSP formally adopted ‘social democracy’ as its political ideology during its first national general convention held in Chitwan June. The RSP’s use of the term has triggered debate within Congress over whether adopting a similar terminology would blur the party’s ideological distinction or help position it more effectively against political competitors.

Political analyst Keshav Dahal argues that the forthcoming 15th general convention must provide greater clarity and institutional structure for the party’s orientation towards social democracy. He says that Congress should not back away from the idea simply because the RSP has adopted the same term or because internal rivals are objecting.

“This signals that the Nepali Congress is stepping out of a traditional socialist paradigm and that a new generation is formulating ideas in a new manner,” said Dahal. “In today’s context, social democracy is the right direction for the Congress. Taking this line does not mean abandoning BP Koirala. How can what BP stated decades ago be presented to today’s generation using the exact same language, words, and sentiment? Therefore, reinterpreting BP’s correct principles in light of present-day realities cannot be termed anti-BP.”

Dahal further emphasised that a shared term does not equate to identical political character. “The Congress must clearly articulate its own original interpretation of social democracy. For Congress, democracy extends beyond elections or a system of governance to encompass civil rights, freedoms, inclusiveness, and public participation.”

Responding to criticism from the opposition faction, Pratap Paudel, advocate and political advisor to Thapa, asserted that the party has not deviated from BP’s ideology. “The documents endorsed by the special general convention do not abandon BP’s socialist ideology,” said Paudel. “It is about refinement and modernisation in line with present times and contexts.”

Congress General Secretary Pradeep Paudel holds a similar view. He said BP’s socialism remains the party’s foundational principle and added that its content must evolve within the times.

“Having accepted socialism as the party’s ideal, we are seeking to refine its content to connect with contemporary reality. We have incorporated the context of social democracy, but this does not imply discarding socialism in favour of social democracy as an isolated ideal,” said Paudel. 

He, however, cautioned that social democracy alone might not encompass the party’s full ideological scope. “Democratic socialism covers political rights alongside economic matters and state responsibility toward citizens. On economic policy, Congress needs further clarity. We are currently in a state of dilemma and must resolve this in the upcoming convention.”

The ideological framework of the Nepali Congress was formally anchored in socialism at its sixth general convention held in Birgunj in 1956 under BP Koirala’s guidance. The party sought to combine democratic political freedoms with economic equality and social welfare. However, following the 1991 parliamentary elections, the Congress-led government introduced open-market economic policies, sparking an enduring debate within the party over the balance between market forces and socialist redistribution.

Congress leader Shyam Ghimire pointed out that Nepal’s current economic condition differs fundamentally from 1956, when BP Koirala adopted socialism to counter growing communist influence in South Asia. “Congress must clarify its commitment to an open economy at the general convention, placing the role of the private sector and Nepal’s integration with the global economy at the center,” he said.

Ghimire argued the party should adopt an economic policy that entrusts capital formation primarily to the private sector while assigning the state the role of regulating the economy, ensuring equal opportunity, and equitable distribution of resources. He also suggested reconsidering the ‘socialism-oriented’ clause in the preamble of Nepal’s Constitution 2015.

In stark contrast, former Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat, a key leader of the Deuba faction, warned that moving towards social democracy would erode the party’s core identity. “Congress’s socialism lies in the concept where production is driven by the private sector and equitable distribution is guaranteed by the state,” said Mahat.

“Following the special general convention, there is a conflict over the identity of the Congress. The party must not destroy its traditional identity; we must proceed along the path of BP’s socialism, and we will make this a primary issue at the general convention,” Mahat asserted. “The leadership emerging from the special convention appears inclined towards populism similar to that of new parties. Departing from BP’s socialist line to pursue populism will erase the history and original identity of the Nepali Congress.”

Offering a different perspective, political analyst Geja Sharma Wagle disagreed with assertions that the Congress has abandoned BP’s vision. “The leadership is seeking to make BP’s democratic socialism more relevant and timely. Gagan Thapa’s proposal can be viewed as an evolved, advanced, and updated concept of BP’s ideas,” Wagle said. “Congress must clearly define its ideological identity either as a social democratic party or through a redefinition and reinterpretation of socialism. It needs a new vision, policies, and agenda tailored for the fifth industrial revolution of the 21st century.”

The debate comes amid significant demographic shifts within the organisation. Following reforms that reserved representation for individuals under 35 years of age across committee tiers, young leaders from ward levels to the Central Working Committee are demanding ideological modernisation.

Karuna Katuwal, a general convention representative elected from Dhankuta, said the party is caught between its historical foundations and the aspirations of young voters. “The old leadership has changed. The new youth leadership must understand the sentiments of the digital generation and reinterpret party principles accordingly,” said Katuwal.

Echoing this sentiment, 21-year-old delegate Umanga Lohani from Chitwan constituency 3 said ideology remains the Congress’ greatest strength. “Congress never gave space to extremism; it kept civil liberties at the center and prioritised state responsibility towards the underprivileged,” said Lohani. “Those seeking leadership today cannot simply live off the party’s historical legacy. They must stand for good governance, a corruption-free society, and youth-centered agendas.”