A panel headed by Nepali Congress leader Narahari Achayra has failed to settle the dispute over active membership which has affected preparations for the upcoming NC general convention.

The party’s Central Working Committee had given the team four days to finalise the list of ‘active members’. Party President Sushil Koirala provided the panel four more days to settle disputes. Leaders close to President Koirala are complaining of an unfair membership distribution.

In 2010, the party had 316,000 active members. The committee has, however, proposed to increase the number to 470,655 for the 13th General Convention. The membership dispute has been reported from more than 24 districts. The delay in settling the row is likely to affect the party’s village, regional and district conventions.

Rival camps are competing to distribute membership to cadres loyal to them. Only active members are entitled to vote during the convention that elects the party president and the central leadership.