KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has stressed the urgent need for the party to take seriously the erosion of its voter base.

Speaking at the ongoing central committee meeting, Dr. Mahat warned that if the party fails to retain its traditional support base rooted in history, religion, culture, and core ideology, it will likely face a significant setback in the 2084 (2027) general elections.

“Our party is old, but people are increasingly disappointed with older parties. New parties with new names are emerging. In this context, the party must be serious about the declining traditional voter base,” he said.

Mahat cautioned that unless the party clearly and firmly presents its core values—especially its religious and cultural identity—it risks serious damage. “We represent the people who follow Hindu, Buddhist, Kirat, and nature-worshipping traditions. This is our right-to-the-center ideological space. While communists reject religion, we believe in faith. Protecting the rights of every religious group is our foundation,” he stated.

Religious freedom, he said, is a fundamental right in any democratic society, and the Congress must safeguard its ideological roots by protecting all faith communities.

He also expressed concern over growing internal discord, social media attacks among leaders, declining morale among party workers, and weakening public trust.

Dr. Mahat criticized the weak management of the party’s active membership campaign, alleging that family members are being added in the name of protecting traditional leadership, leaving genuine grassroots workers sidelined.

He called for strengthening women’s organizations at the local level to build leadership, saying, “In the absence of young men who’ve migrated abroad, women are the main force in villages. Congress can build its true base through women’s networks.”

On the ruling coalition, Mahat said, “Whether we stay in government or not, both are difficult options. But once we’re in government, we must justify our presence.” He added that Congress ministers must perform better than those from other parties to send a positive message to the public.

Dr. Mahat raised doubts about the effectiveness of provincial governments, citing weak leadership and rising disorder. “There’s a lack of senior leadership in provinces. Anarchy is growing. If this continues, people will lose faith in the federal structure itself,” he warned.